A kinsman of the Marquess of Huntly, he was the son of James Gordon and Elsie née Riach.

From 1990, Gordon was a member of the Scottish Advisory Board of BP, and since 1996 a director of Johnston Press as well as Chairman of Active Capital Trust.

He was a member of the court of the University of Glasgow from 1984 to 1997 and of the Committee of Enquiry into Teachers' Pay and Conditions in 1986.

Appointed CBE in HM 1984 Birthday Honours,[1] Gordon later received a Sony Award for his outstanding services to radio.

[2] On 4 October 1997, he was created a Life Peer taking the title Baron Gordon of Strathblane, of Deil's Craig in Stirlingshire.