Memories of
Dr Graeme Sweeney
My gentle giant who I used to describe as my freedom man…for he had many things he wished to be free…
For me, I will mention the top three:
Freedom for his beloved homeland. I would often tease that I had my very own William Wallis rampaging around wielding his sword shouting ‘freedom’. The reality was he would have a frank and open discussion with anyone about the merits of an independent Scotland. To him, it was an ideology that was never borne and the disappointment he felt ran deep. He had hope but it was never realized.
His next hope was for the freedom of women. He longed for equality in ability, religion and race. He championed whoever he could and would despair in any failing. For a man of his generation to do this with so much volition is rare indeed, but he never faltered in his belief.
The last but by far not least was his passion for creating freedom of opportunities for children. He would lament that talent was everywhere but opportunity was not. He was a strong purporter that the world was full of talented and gifted people but their background and opportunity would never come to fruition. He himself was a classic example, being dyslexic, it wasn’t until the age of 11 that he was fortunate to encounter someone who recognized his condition, which for years had been described as destructive and useless. By the time he was 24 he had earned a PHD. A genius mathematician who would write a series of what I used to describe as gobbledygook. He would chuckle at my description and then spend an hour trying to explain to me what it meant whilst I stared with a blank expression and then ask for a translation in English.
Graeme’s life was rich, varied, full of energy and unwaivering support and commitment to his family, his work and his passions. He had the ability to light up a room, and this way of being able to talk to anyone he came into contact with on a level that put them at ease.
Graeme, the love of my life, my best friend and sidekick for 29 years, the greatest Father to Arwen and Ross.
He passed unexpectedly 6th October 2022, in the place he loved the most, his beloved Scotland.
As a family we have recieved many notes, emails and thoughts on Graeme’s life and what he did for and meant to so many people. We’ve created this online book of condolences in his memory.
Book Owner: Fiona Sweeney
Book Size:Â 500 Messages
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Stan Bradbury
I was shocked and saddened to hear yesterday from a mutual friend that Graeme had passed away. Graeme was a friend in our young days, playing in the same (terrible) Sunday football team. Later he was a friend and colleague working for Shell in Dubai/Oman. Finally he was my boss in Shell Europe where he was admired and valued by his whole management team. Graeme was warm, intelligent, articulate, insightful and driven to achieve results. I think we were both very sad to see the end of the great team he led in Shell Europe. He will be much missed by all who knew him. …
Amanda & Trevor Newman
The consummate host with a heap of good vibes and affection A genuinely lovely and generous, kind man who always had time to listen Big G has left a gaping void which will never be filled, but with the memories and love he left will be a good start sleep tight friend x …
Peter Evans
iving as we do in the USA, we have just heard of the sad passing of Graeme. Our paths crossed in his first few years at Shell Trading before I left Shell. The two of us, together with Graham Wicker, debated endlessly the relative merits of England vs Scotland mostly in connection with football, a real love of his. We so enjoyed our time together at this early stage in our careers. Graeme clearly was destined for greater things. He had a confidence and surety about him. He was never afraid to challenge the accepted order and always was prepared with alternatives. He was someone who could never be ignored. His energy and his large personality will be much missed. Condolences to all his family. Peter and Jackie Evans 26 December, 2022…
James
Graeme had a profound impact on my life. He inspired me to join Shell some 19 years ago. I really appreciated that and I am sad I can’t tell him again in person. I am sorry for your loss Fiona….
Justin Johnson
At CIFF I was lucky enough to have worked with, been inspired by (and sometimes frustrated by!) Graeme. His parables, wisdom and kindness will stay with me for ever. He was so far ahead of his time in his thinking that I am still catching up. He was such an indefatigable fighter for so much – from social justice to obscure music – I never imagined he would stop. A great man, deeply missed….
HERMIONE ST LEGER
I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Graeme’s passing. I worked for him as a freelance writer for nearly 10 years, both at Shell and the ZEP Technology Platform. I also wrote speeches for him, but only because he didn’t have time to write them himself. He was actually one of the most brilliant speakers I’ve ever seen: incisive, inspiring and humorous. It was a joy to listen to him. As so many have said, he had the most brilliant mind, which I often thought was in a league of its own. Like so many, I also felt huge affection for him and it will always seem surreal that he is no longer with us….
Mara Hildebrand
I am so very sorry for yours and your family’s loss. I work at CIFF in the SRHR team and was one of the lucky ones to have gone to the mat with Graeme a few times in his role in our leadership. It is truly rare to come across someone in his position who really understood the “why” behind it all – to make an impact, even if small, and to be of service to the people we aim to reach. I am thankful for having met him. He and you are in my thoughts. – Mara…
Rachel Armstrong
The world is a little smaller without Graeme, and a little poorer. I am so very sad that he is gone. He had such a great mind, a passion to communicate and a compassion that was surprising, but should not have been. My deepest condolences to Fiona, Arwen & Ross – gone too soon, but undoubtedly having lived well and left a legacy through all the lives he touched, and all the minds whose thoughts he challenged and actually improved. I remember his getting me to write my own orbituary, so that I could make decisions about how I want to live my life. Reflecting now, I think he was an exemplar of living an integrated live that he chose, worked for and relished. I’m glad he was blessed with such love for his family. For me, he was an utter delight to know. Authentic, unashamedly himself, challenging and exhausting – with so rare a mind that we will not see his like again. Resistent, instistent, persistent – thank-you Graeme for sharing your example and your genius, and for bolstering my courage when I needed it. I shall miss you, very much, and aways be a fan….
Dr Ralf Marxen
It was a shock to hear that Graeme has passed away. I had the honour of being the lawyer on his CO2 leadership team at Shell for a few years. I was always impressed by his knowledge about science and business, but also football and music, his wisdom, humour, agility and openness. In many aspects he was way ahead of his time. Thank you, Graeme, for your leadership. Rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to his whole family. Ralf Marxen Hamburg, Germany…
Jonas Helseth
Dear Fiona, I don’t believe we ever had a chance to meet, but I’ve heard him talk about you so many times throughout the decade I had the privilege to know him, most of which I’m glad to say I’ve been able to count myself a friend. For me, Graeme was a mentor through many years, a man I could always go to with many a question and seek advice, but also a man I’ve shared a hundred conversations with about the history of the world (in particular, needless to say, that of the Scots), politics, economics and life in general. Admittedly, he did give up attempting football with me, acknowledging it as a lost cause. Notwithstanding, we would always find an excuse to go for a dinner or a drink, likely both, whenever our paths crossed – often in Brussels, but also all around Europe and even America, we’ve had many profound and rewarding conversations. He always supported us at the Bellona Foundation, which he recognised as a visionary NGO ahead of its time, and I owe him great thanks for his unwavering backing of my personal work to decarbonise industry and get negative emissions right, both within…
Lale Alugan
I am so sorry for your loss. I was his assistant during his duty in Turkey. My condolences to you and your family….
Susan & Graham Wicker
We were so very sorry and saddened to hear the news about Graeme. The three of us became friends when we all worked together in Shell Centre at Waterloo way back in the mid 1970s in Crude Oil Trading. The two Gs shared something in common, they were both passionate about sport and in particular football and as they both supported dfferent teams – Man Utd and Chelsea – it often made “interesting” discussions at times! They also enjoyed playing squash and five-aside football during the lunchtimes and Graham reminded me of the time Graeme played in a pale pink kit after a mishap in the washing machine! I still remember how I would often look out of my window across to their offices and see the pair of them playing cricket!! Two internal doors of the adjoining offices were open to give plenty of space and at one end one would bowl a squash ball whilst the other was at the other end using a long plastic ruler for a bat! Happy days!! We have such fond memories of many happy times together all those years ago and our thoughts are with Fiona, Arwen, Ross and all the…
Rajat Sindhu
I was fortunate enough to have come across Graeme at the Childrens Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) during the years he chaired the foundation. Having joined as a 25 year old Analyst, i just happened to bump into Graeme, only to realise later that the person i casually spent 30mins chatting about football was indeed the Chairperson of the foundation. To me, I will always remember Graeme as the gentle giant who would break all heirarchial boundaries and just burst into common everyday chats and debates like you’re talking to your school mate at the local pub. Cheers to you Graeme <3 …
Adam tomes
Graeme was a larger than life presence in my life during my youth where I spent a great deal of time with him and his family. We shared a passion for music, politics, board games, reading and football (even if our allegiances were for the opposite sides in the Manchester derby!). He was always generous with his time and his thoughts, suggesting what to read, listen to and think about. Our discussions were always thought provoking, educative and challenging. I shall think him of on derby days and when I reread Tolkien. With thanks and in memory. …
Stuart Haszeldine
Graeme helped us develop CO2 storage in Scotland – bringing it back home Graeme Sweeney was a larger than life character. Totally dedicated to whatever he was doing at the time, yet always ready to be diverted to provide additional help, advice or counsel. He was born Scottish and very proud of that. And never would let you forget that origin and upbringing. He studied Physics at University, and after finding ways around challenges of writing and what could loosely be named dyslexia – could set his intellect free to analyse which ever part of the world he was inhabiting at the time. And that pride of being Scottish – apparently there are several clans of Sweeneys – never faded. And it transpired that the world could be interpreted through the lens of Scottish sport, and loyal membership of the tartan army and Rangers in particular, finding analogies to aid with problems of both business and energy. As well as chairing SCCS advisory board, Graeme spent a huge time navigating the byzantine corridors of the European Commission, Parliament and political leaders – advocating for controls on carbon, and CCS development and funding in particular. This was formalised…
