Sutherland got his start clerking in the London office of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O).

Soon after, P&O promoted Sutherland to superintendent, assigning him to British Hong Kong to manage the firm's Asian operation.

[4] In November 1884, Sutherland was elected at a by-election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Greenock.

However, he was reinstated when his opponent was unseated on petition,[6] and held the seat until he stood down at the 1900 general election.

John Macnaught of Trinity Church, Conduit Street, London, England.