Our Leadership
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors is responsible for the overall strategic direction and governance of the University.
The Board's many powers, functions, duties and responsibilities are set out in the University's Statutory Instrument. The Governors’ Handbook includes the Statement of Primary Responsibilities of the Board and the Code of Conduct.
The Board of Governors are also required as a matter of good University governance to comply with:
To ensure that the Board operates effectively, the Board uses a Skills Matrix to inform selection decisions to ensure that the Board and it’s Committees have an appropriate range of skills and experience in relevant sectors. The Board annually updates it’s equality and diversity assessment.
The Board carries out annual monitoring of its effectiveness through evaluations of all of it’s Committees, the Chair meets all Board members to gain their feedback, and an annual evaluation of the Chair is undertaken by the Board Intermediary.
In addition to the internal effectiveness procedures, the Board engages regularly in external review. In 2018 that review was in the form of an external consultant carrying out a Board Effectiveness Review. In 2023, the Internal Auditors undertook a Governance Effectiveness Review which identified one area of low risk, made some improvement recommendations and identified a number of areas of good practice.
Standing Committees
The Board of Governors appoints and regulates the Standing Committees which carry out the statutory obligations of the University. Standing Committees will, from time to time, establish Sub-Committees in order to assist them in undertaking their remits.
Board of Governors Nominations
The Governance and Nominations Committee is keen to receive applications and build up a pool of potential external Committee members and Board applicants for the future. The University is looking for independent Governors and External Committee members who have demonstrated leadership and integrity and have skills and contacts that can benefit the University. The Board wishes to strengthen the following areas of expertise in particular over the next two years:
- Finance
- Law and the Regulatory Environment
- Property
- IT and Digital
- Creative Industries
- Investment Management
RGU is committed to equality and diversity; therefore the University is keen to receive applications from a diverse range of candidates.
Contacts
For further details or for any questions about the Board, contact the Secretary to the Board of Governors:
Board of Governors Profiles
Adrian graduated from RGIT with a Degree in Business Studies and then joined EY in Aberdeen where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1988.
Dr Gemma Barron is currently the Course Leader for the BSc (Hons) Food, Nutrition and Human Health course and a lecturer in Biosciences within the School of Pharmacy, Applied Sciences and Public Health.
John is the Chief Operating John is the Managing Director of Hillcrest Futures, a Scotland wide social care charity delivering a range of support services to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. John has extensive experience of strategic human resource management and leadership across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Anne is a professional photographer and artist living and working in Aberdeenshire.
Melissa is a Chartered Engineer and Independent Consultant with over 26 years’ experience in the Energy Sector.
Nichola is a Deputy Head Teacher with over 25 years of experience in Education in the State and Independent Sector.
Susan is the Chair of the Board of North East Scotland College.
Martin is a chartered accountant who retired from professional practice in 2023 after a career which spanned 36 years.
After completing a BA in Accounting, Katy qualified as a chartered accountant with a predecessor of KPMG in Glasgow.
Colin retired from General Medical Practice in June 2018 after 33 years as a Partner at Skene Medical Group, Westhill.
Bryan is the Student Union President (Communications & Democracy) at Robert Gordon University.
Dean, School of Computing, Engineering and Technology.
Professor Rita Marcella is currently engaged in teaching, supervision of students and research in information management, public relations and communications.
Phil was founder and CEO of Petrotechnics a company that started as a technology start-up in 1990.
Professor Steve Olivier is an experienced leader in the higher education sector, both in the UK and internationally. He has held leadership positions in Scottish, English and South African universities.
Sean has 35 years legal practice experience and was head of Employment and Benefits at Scottish law firm Burness Paull LLP before retiring in 2023.
Member of the Board of Governors.
Ed has spent 20 years working in Secondary schools across Aberdeenshire.