James Bremner (Brem) Dow was educated at George Watson's College and Edinburgh and Cambridge Universities, before joining The Standard Life Assurance Company in 1928 as a junior apprentice.
Brem Dow was responsible for the beginnings of the Standard Life Pensions schemes department in 1931, working with A. Ernest Bromfield, R.H. Mackay, and K.W.
Marshall,[1] and, working with Andrew Rutherford Davidson, provided a strong foundation for Standard Life's pensions business.
[5] Much like his predecessors, Dow was deeply invested in the concept of mutuality, regularly describing its benefits to policy-holders.
[7] In addition, Dow contributed to the company sporting legacy, presenting a challenge cup for an annual golf tournament between Standard Life and Scottish Widows during his tenure.