Brian McGrath

Sir Brian Henry McGrath, GCVO (27 October 1925 – 4 June 2016) was the Private Secretary to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. He was educated at Eton College. In 1943-1946 he served in the Irish Guards, and after World War II he joined Cannon Brewery (1946–1948). In 1948 went to Victoria Wine Ltd, of which he became a director in 1949, and was chairman 1960-1982. He was also a Master of Wine. McGrath also held various directorships, including Grants of St James Ltd 1960 (chairman 1975-1982), Allied Breweries Ltd (now Allied-Lyon Plc) 1970-1982, and Broad Street Securities Ltd (chairman 1983-1991). In 1982 he joined the Office of the Duke of Edinburgh as Assistant Private Secretary, being promoted to Private Secretary and Treasurer in 1984. In 1992 he ceased to be Private Secretary, and from 1993 to 1995 was Head of the Household. He retired as Treasurer in 1995, and in the following year was appointed Extra Equerry. He died on 4 June 2016, aged 90.