Nigel Seaton

The independent Gillies Review highlighted that the university’s most senior leaders repeatedly failed in their duties, ignoring financial red flags and operating in “isolation of facts” as the institution approached a major cash crisis. The report specifically criticised former principal Professor Iain Gillespie for providing an “unrealistically positive” assessment of the university’s financial health.

It also found that Prof Gillespie, Prof O’Neill, and former chief operating officer Dr Jim McGeorge collectively breached ethical standards by failing to disclose the true state of the university’s finances. Key issues identified included poor financial judgement, inadequate management and reporting, weak governance, and a lack of agility in responding to falling income, particularly from overseas postgraduate students.

Dr Ian Mair, deputy chair of the university court, acknowledged the “clear failings in financial monitoring, management and governance”. He noted that while external factors affected the higher education sector, the university’s response “fell well short of the standards that everyone should have expected”.

In the wake of the report, Prof O’Neill stepped aside, stating it was time for new leadership to steer the university towards recovery. His departure, along with that of acting chair of the university court Tricia Bey and convener of the finance and policy committee Carla Rossini, brings the total number of management team resignations since November 2024 to 11.

Professor Nigel Seaton, who served as principal of Abertay University for a decade and joined the Dundee University in May as interim Provost, has been appointed interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor. During his tenure at Abertay, the university was named the Times/Sunday Times UK University of the Year for Teaching Quality in 2021 and was frequently ranked best in Europe for computer games education.

Dr Mair, said: “I am grateful that Nigel has agreed to take on the duties of Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor to lend us stability at this challenging time.”

Prof Seaton said: “I feel honoured to be asked to take on the role of Interim Principal of the University of Dundee, an institution that does great things for its students, for Dundee and the wider region, and for society more generally.

“The University faces considerable challenges in its recovery from a difficult financial position, and from what I know has been a very difficult period for staff. I am ready to work with my colleagues and with the University Court to set the University on its way to a sustainable and successful future. 

“In all this, we should not lose sight of the things that make this university such a great place. Prime among those is Graduation, and I look forward to playing a part in the ceremonies next week to celebrate the achievements of our wonderful graduates.”

His immediate responsibilities will include providing much-needed stability at the university and engaging with the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council regarding a previously submitted proposal for a £100 million bailout package.

A full copy of the Gillies Review is available here.