We were saddened to hear of the death of Gilbert Cox CVO MBE JP , who passed away on Monday 9th March 2026.
Gibby is fondly remembered for his dedication to the role of Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, which he held for 10 years, retiring on 24th August 2010 at the age of 75. Gibby served as a Deputy Lieutenant from 1989 until he was appointed Lord-Lieutenant in 2000.
In 1996, Gibby received an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours for services to the community in Airdrie, and in 2010, he received a rare personal honour from the Queen, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO), to mark a decade of royal service. The CVO is of such importance that it is not part of the main civil honours list of knighthoods and MBEs but has always been personally bestowed by the monarch since its inception in 1896 to recognise “services to the royal household”.
Gibby played a major role in promoting Lanarkshire throughout his term as Lord-Lieutenant. He spearheaded the fundraising campaign for Summerlee Heritage Park’s landmark refurbishment and helped bring the 2011 International Children’s Games to Lanarkshire. After retiring as Lord-Lieutenant, Gibby became Chairman of the St Andrew’s Hospice Capital Appeal, helping to raise substantial funds for the Hospice’s major refurbishment in 2018.
Gibby was resolutely dedicated to people, local communities, and businesses across Lanarkshire, and he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.