The response includes a series of actions designed to rectify the causal factors identified in the Gillies Report. A full copy of the University’s response is available here.

“It was evident from the Gillies Report that there had been clear failings in financial monitoring, leadership, and governance at the University,” said Interim Principal and Vice Chancellor Professor Nigel Seaton.

“The entire UK higher education sector has been forced to deal with significant external factors in recent years but our University’s response to these, and its management of finances, fell well short of the standards that everyone should have expected.”

The investigation was carried out by professional services firm BDO and chaired by Professor Pamela Gillies, former Principal of Glasgow Caledonian University. The Gillies Report was commissioned by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and was published on 19 June.

The response is divided into the sections which generally mirror those of the findings and recommendations within the Gillies Report:

• Financial Reporting and Financial Management
• Governance and Oversight
• Culture and Leadership
• Listening to the University Community
• Commitment

Dr Ian Mair, acting chair of Court, said: “The actions we propose to take in the short, medium and long term are designed to ensure the University has a sustainable future built upon strong governance, financial competence, transparency, and accountability.

“Our response provides detailed assurances to our stakeholders that the immediate, robust, and impactful action required to implement significant operational and cultural change is underway.”