Board of Governors

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. The Board carries outs annual monitoring of its effectiveness and engages regularly in external review.

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

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

Oluwanifemi Afolayan

Oluwanifemi Isaac Afolayan currently serves as the Student Vice-President (Societies) at Robert Gordon University.

Gemma Barron

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.

Adrian Bannister

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.

John Booth

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 Campbell

Anne is a professional photographer and artist living and working in Aberdeenshire.

Melissa Clare

Melissa is a Chartered Engineer and Independent Consultant with over 26 years’ experience in the Energy Sector.

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Nichola is a Deputy Head Teacher with over 25 years of experience in Education in the State and Independent Sector.

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Aileen is a board member and Chief Corporate Affairs Adviser of True North (Scotland) Ltd.

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Susan is the Chair of the Board of North East Scotland College.

Katy Gifford

After completing a BA in Accounting, Katy qualified as a chartered accountant with a predecessor of KPMG in Glasgow.

Colin Hunter

Colin retired from General Medical Practice in June 2018 after 33 years as a Partner at Skene Medical Group, Westhill.

Bryan Uyiosa Igbinigie

Bryan is the Student Union President (Communications & Democracy) at Robert Gordon University.

John Isaacs

Dean, School of Computing, Engineering and Technology.

Maggie McGinlay

Maggie is Chief Executive of ETZ Ltd, the Aberdeen based company not for profit organisation, delivering the North East of Scotland’s ambition to be a globally recognised centre for energy transition.

Rita Marcella

Professor Rita Marcella is currently engaged in teaching, supervision of students and research in information management, public relations and communications.

Phil Murray

Phil was founder and CEO of Petrotechnics a company that started as a technology start-up in 1990.

Professor Steve Olivier - The Principal

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.

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After working briefly in the oil industry as a Chemical Engineer, Professor Seaton became a lecturer, progressing to Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Abertay University until 2022.

Julie Strachan

Member of the Board of Governors.

Tricia Walker

Tricia is a partner, specialising in employment law, at the law firm Shepherd & Wedderburn. She completed her legal degree and diploma in legal practice at Aberdeen University.

Edward Walton

Ed has spent 20 years working in Secondary schools across Aberdeenshire.

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