Profile: Sir Jack Harvie, businessman and Scottish Conservative Party fundraiser

His company is thought to have net assets of well over £22 million. However, other wealth takes the family fortune to £30m.

Sir Jack is well known for the exclusive and parties he holds at his home in Stirlingshire. The 75-year-old businessman has been known to hold the get-togethers two or three times a year, with the sums raised at each party reaching in excess of £250,000, raising a considerable amount for the party’s coffers.

The exclusive guest lists are normally limited to no more than ten, with entry costing as much as £25,000 per person. Over the course of the parties, other donations are made to the party.

Sir Jack, a former painter and decorator who worked his way up to become a millionaire tycoon, hit the headlines in 2006 when he celebrated his 70th birthday by splashing out on £1m party, hiring a “Who’s Who” of showbusiness to entertain his guests.

In one of the most lavish parties seen in Scotland in recent years, soul legend Dionne Warwick was flown in to headline the party, which was held in marquees in the sprawling grounds of Sir Jack’s home at Mugdock, near Milngavie.

The opera singer Russell Watson also sang for the 300 partygoers, as did the veteran television entertainer Des O’Connor.

Sir Jack’s business, which started in the decorative area, has expanded into work for schools, museums, government buildings, hospitals, refurbishment of housing stock and the commercial sector. It now has an annual turnover of some £5m.

Sir Jack was seen as one of Margaret Thatcher’s main supporters in Scotland. But the businessman has also given his money to other causes, famously donating £50,000 to the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami appeal. The money was spent on sending two Scottish doctors to work in one of the worst-affected areas.

Sir Jack, speaking at the time of the disaster, said: “Like most people, I felt utterly helpless when I saw TV pictures of the devastation caused by the tsunamis. ANDREW WHITAKER