McIntosh, William – The man with tartan tonic

William McIntosh (b 1954)

BORN in Blackburn-by-Bathgate, Glasgow, just three doors from Susan ‘Subo’ Boyle, William Dennison McIntosh went to Whitburn Academy then Falkirk Technical College to study engineering.

He was apprenticed to Renton & Fisher, but one fateful day he visited friends in Grantham – and stayed. That was in 1975.

After spending nine months at BMARCo, he joined Coles Cranes until 1979 when he embarked on a three months European tour with his friend Roger Buthryn, with whom he was running disco Boss Sounds.

Together they helped to set of Grantham hospital radio Radio Witham, with Will being its first voice, playing Don’t Go Breakin My Heart by Elton John & Kikki Dee.

On his return from Europe, he joined Woodhouse furniture, High Street, as a salesman, something he found he had a flair for.

From there he became assistant manager with Provident Financial Group, in Lincoln, leaving 14 years later as company executive.

He set up Granta Domestics which he ran for 12 years, selling brown and white electrical goods.

After selling the business, he bought into roofers and builders RMS which he still runs. His property portfolio includes the Three Gables, Signal Road, and the former Rose & Crown in Swinegate. The company has won awards including one for a mill conversion in Melton Mowbray.

In 1997 he was one of the founders of Gravity FM and became a presenter. In 2000 he was joined by Pugsy Parker and the double act became one of the most popular on the community radio station.

Will later went on to present his Tartan Tonic on Saturday mornings.

He has since joined Newark FM.

In his younger days, he played football for Grantham Hospital Club although for the past 12 years he has been a fully qualified referee and still active.