Lowden started his career with Moody, Stuart & Robertson in Dundee, training with them from 1949 to 1953, becoming a partner in 1959.[2][5] Later, he joined Peat Marwick McLintock before their merger with KPMG, becoming office managing partner in 1985.[2][5] From 1979 to 1992 he was chairman of Dundee Port Authority.[2]
In 1955, Lowden started lecturing part-time at the University of Dundee.[2] He is credited with setting up the Department of Accountancy at the University.[6] Lowden became senior lecturer and then professor in the Department of Accountancy and Business Finance.[2] From 1991 to 1997 he was a member of the court of the University.[5]
Lowden served as president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) from 1989 to 1990, having served as senior vice-president from 1988 to 1989.[6] His term in office was one of the most traumatic in the history of the organisation.[6] As president, he oversaw a vote amongst the membership which would have merged the organisation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), creating a new British Institute.[6]
On 6 June 1989, members of ICAS and the ICAEW voted on a merger.[7] ICAS voted against the merger, with 4023 voting no and 3274 voting yes, on a 60% turnout of 12,500 members.[7] The ICAEW membership were overwhelmingly in favour of a merger, with 33,495 voting yes and only 2291 against, on a 40% turnout.[7][8]
From London the message was one of disappointment and in Edinburgh one of reconciliation.[7] The debate had been divisive and heated for over 18 months.[7] ICAS members had made a decisive choice and as of 2015 retain their own Institute.[7] In February 1990, Lowden explained his predictions for the future of the profession in Scotland.[9]
Lowden was a keen sportsman playing rugby for Dundee HSFP and captaining the team from 1949 to 1951.[10] He was also a member of the Rules of Golf Committee at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.[6] In 2004 the committee became part of The R&A group of companies and still works in conjunction with the United States Golf Association to govern the rules of golf on a worldwide basis.[11]
