Douglas attended St Clement Dane’s Grammar School in Hammersmith - where he was in the same class as politician Frank Field. He went on to read Economics and Accounting at LSE and graduated in 1964 with a 2:1.
While at LSE he was awarded the Arthur Anderson Accounting Prize and also won his half colours in both tennis and badminton. Although a contemporary of Mick Jagger at LSE, their paths seldom crossed. Douglas completed his Chartered Accountancy articles at Cooper Brothers in 1967, and in the same year married Gillian Gallimore – a physiotherapist.
From 1967 to 1969 Douglas worked in Toronto, first as a Chartered Accountant for McDonald Currie and then at Simpson-Sears as a factory Management Accountant. On returning to the UK he held a variety of accountancy and directorship roles, including for United Drapery Stores, Ladbrokes and International Paint.
In 1982 Douglas joined the board of the Rank Organisation (now the Rank Group) as Finance Director. He left 17 years later having served as Mergers and Acquisitions Director and latterly acting CEO. Douglas also held various non-executive directorships, including with Aggregate Industries, and his charity work included membership of Christian Aid’s Finance Committee and becoming Chairman of USPG. He was still working part-time as a financial advisor for a law firm until his death. Douglas is survived by Gillian, two daughters, one son, seven granddaughters and one grandson.