logo
Interim finance chief at cash-strapped university quits after days in post

Interim finance chief at cash-strapped university quits after days in post

Chris Reilly, who took on the role on an interim basis days at the start of last week, has left the university by 'mutual agreement'.
Dundee University is grappling with a financial crisis which has resulted in the Scottish Government using special powers to award a further £40 million to the institution.
Faced with a £35 million deficit, the university is looking to cut hundreds of jobs.
Professor Nigel Seaton, Dundee's interim principal and vice chancellor, confirmed Mr Reilly's departure in a message to staff – saying the institution is 'moving quickly' to replace him.
Prof Seaton, who himself only took on the role after the previous interim principal quit last month, said Mr Reilly's replacement would help take the university through the 'next steps' of its recovery plan.
Previous interim principal Professor Shane O'Neill quit the post in June after a report by former Glasgow Caledonian University principal Professor Pamela Gillies was critical of him and other former senior Dundee University figures for their actions before the scale of the crisis became public.
That report found members of the university executive group, which included the 'triumvirate' of Prof O'Neill, former principal Professor Iain Gillespie and ex-chief operating officer Jim McGeorge, had 'failed' to 'properly respond to the worsening situation' with the institution's finances in 2024.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Scottish Water spent £1.4m on sewage blockages since 2021
Scottish Water spent £1.4m on sewage blockages since 2021

The Herald Scotland

time6 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Scottish Water spent £1.4m on sewage blockages since 2021

Scottish Water spent £397,745 in 2021, £539,717 in 2022, £344,303 in 2023, and £136,268 in 2024; for a total of £1,418,033. The release of the data comes as Scottish Water bosses have been criticised over 'fat cat' salary bonuses in recent months. Key directors received more than £3m in extra funds between 2010 and 2021, with the increases signed off by then-finance minister John Swinney - despite his stated opposition to public sector pay bonuses for other government-run groups. £1.4m has been spent to clean up sewage spills. (Image: NQ) Criticism has also been lodged at current boss Alex Plant, who makes £483,000, or £100,000 more than his predecessor Douglas Millican, despite Scottish Government guidance stating his pay should have been 10% less than Millican's. And workers have been engaged in industrial action with Scottish Water this summer - leading to a £3m bill after ten days of strikes. A Scottish Water spokesperson explained the organisation's clean-up strategy, telling The Herald: 'Many spills can be caused by chokes or blockages on our network due to people wrongly disposing of wet wipes and sanitary products down toilets or fats, oils and grease down sinks. 'Generally, a clean-up operation involves the removal of sewage-related debris from the areas along the banks of watercourses. This often involves staff wearing PPE collecting the debris in bags and can sometimes include the use of a vactor to suck up material. 'A spill can also be the result of a licensed Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) discharge but, if the overflow is designed properly, the body of water should be sufficiently large to carry the vast majority of debris away. 'Obscene': Anger over new Scottish Water CEO's 50% pay rise 'Out of touch': Backlash over ScotGov's Scottish Water 'fat cat' bonuses defence 'Shocking' hike in 'fat cat' bonuses with £1.6m paid to Scottish Water execs The spokesperson continued: 'However, as we've seen earlier this year, when we have long periods of dry weather and watercourses are running lower than usual, we potentially have bigger clean-up operations to carry out. 'Scottish Water deals with over 36,000 blockages a year, with the majority of these due to items wrongly put into the sewer, such as wipes, sanitary products and fat, oil and grease.'

Scottish Government accused of undermining Ardrossan harbour
Scottish Government accused of undermining Ardrossan harbour

The Herald Scotland

time10 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Scottish Government accused of undermining Ardrossan harbour

The ship is too big to fit into Ardrossan harbour safely, with planned upgrades halted in 2023 due to rising costs. The Scottish Government said earlier this year it was considering renationalising the harbour to ensure Ardrossan remains the mainland port for Arran. Read More: However, former Labour MP for Cunninghame North - now largely North Ayrshire and Arran - Brian Wilson has raised concerns after submitting a Freedom of Information request. The Herald columnist asked for communications concerning Ardrossan between transport secretary Fiona Hyslop and (Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd). Wilson wrote: "One interesting line had either slipped through the net or been left in deliberately, in which the chief executive of CMAL, Kevin Hobbs, wrote, the week following Ms Hyslop's instruction: 'We do not believe and have expressly stated that resilience at Ardrossan (given the entrance through the roundheads and turn) will never be as resilient as Troon given the open sea approach'. "In other words, the chief executive of CMAL could hardly have been clearer that they have no interest in pursuing what, in public, has been their obligation and the Scottish Government's aim. So the question now is whether Ms Hyslop's 'instruction' is ever intended to prevail? "I make no claim to nautical expertise but that is not the issue at stake. The real question is whether, consistent with Mr Hobbs' comments, CMAL and Transport Scotland have been (and still are) working to ensure that Ardrossan never again will be the gateway port for Arran. "If that is the case – as I believe it is – the people of Arran and Ardrossan have, for the past decade, been cynically and cruelly deceived. To that, I object strongly – and call for an inquiry into the full circumstances, without evasions or redactions." Under current regulations, the Scottish Government does not have the power to force a sale of the Ardrossan harbour. It's understood negotiations are ongoing between CMAL and Peel Ports over a potential deal. A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: 'This Government is fully committed to Ardrossan serving the Arran route and to investing in the harbour to ensure that the service is fit for the future. 'We want to see progress just as much as local campaigners do. However, as was explained to them when they met recently with CMAL, Transport Scotland and CalMac, a timeline can only be reasonably established and published should actual purchase and transfer of control of the port be successful. 'It is wholly appropriate that CMAL leads on the Ardrossan negotiations. Should ownership transfer be successful, CMAL would be the asset owner and responsible for taking forward any development works at Ardrossan. As owners of 26 ports and harbours across Scotland, they also bring essential experience to these complex discussions. 'We will of course update Parliament and the local community once there is progress and an outcome to report, however, CMAL and Peel Ports need time and space to undertake and conclude negotiations.'

Rachel Corsie honoured by Glasgow Caledonian University
Rachel Corsie honoured by Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Times

time11 hours ago

  • Glasgow Times

Rachel Corsie honoured by Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian University acknowledged two individuals on the second day of their summer graduation ceremonies at the Royal Concert Hall for their contributions to society. Rachel Corsie, former Scotland national women's football team captain and advocate for inclusion in sport, was awarded a Doctor of the University for her contributions to football and efforts in promoting gender equity and accessibility in sports. Read more: Scaffolding collapses into building shattering residents window Reflecting on her career, the Accounting and Finance graduate, who represented her country 155 times over an 18-year career, said: "Sharing this moment with you brings back very happy memories for me. "I first stood in a hall like this in 2011, when I graduated with an Accounting and Finance degree. "The 15 years since have brought experiences that were unthinkable back then." She also praised Glasgow, her second home, for its spirit and people, saying: "For those of you from here, you'll understand the inherent values of a city that abundantly knows the importance of people and strong relationships." The former footballer ended her speech by encouraging graduates to give their all and to let their Scottish roots guide them. Also honoured was Mike Hammond, a stalwart of the global insurance industry, who was awarded a Doctor of Business Administration for his transformative impact over a five-decade career. He is currently a non-executive director at Willis Towers Watson, a global leader in risk management, actuarial, and insurance services. Mr Hammond told graduates: "I was the first in my family to stay on at school after 16. "The confidence I gained from university gave me the courage to travel the road less travelled. 'Making a difference and providing opportunities for others to make a difference is very important to me. 'I've learned not to take education for granted. Opportunity through education is the greatest gift you can give someone. It was the most important gift given to me.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store