The Responsibilities of the Post

The Board of Governors has delegated to the Principal the responsibility and authority for the leadership, administration and management of the University.

The main functions of the post can be summarised as follows:

• The Chief Executive Officer of the University, appointed by the Board of Governors and accountable to it for the management and organisation of the University and for discipline within it;
• The Chief Academic Officer of the University and the Chairman of its Academic Council;
• The Officer designated to be responsible to Parliament for the University's use of public funds;
• The University's chief ambassador.

The first two points have a statutory basis, being included in the Statutory Instrument which is the main constitutional document of the University, The Robert Gordon University (Scotland) Order of Council 1993.

The third point reflects the current arrangements between the University and its main funding body, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, for accountability for the use of public funds.

Following the sad loss of Principal Mike Pittilo, Professor John Harper has taken on the role of Acting Principal and Vice Chancellor.