Public appointment: Chair appointed to the Board of Dundee and Angus College

The Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Mr Hepburn, today announced the appointment of Laurie O’Donnell as Chair of the Board of Dundee and Angus College

Chair

Laurie O’Donnell comes with significant experience of leading educational innovation from the classroom to the national level. His previous roles include; Education Adviser for Dundee City Council; Director of Learning and Technology at Learning and Teaching Scotland, and an independent education consultant.

Laurie is currently a visiting professor and holds the part time post of Development Director (Future Learning) at Abertay University. Most recently he was centrally involved in Future Skills College, a new pre-apprenticeship pathway for senior phase school students in the Dundee and Angus areas.

Appointment

This appointment will be for four years and will run from 11 July 2022 to 10 July 2026.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £265 per day for a time commitment of two days per week.

Other ministerial appointments

Laurie O’Donnell does not hold any other public appointments.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.   

Laurie O’Donnell has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

Dundee and Angus College delivers across a mixed urban/rural region, working with partners to support new and established industries, and providing the skills and services required to support the economy of their diverse communities.

Dundee and Angus College also has strong links with local authorities and provides an extensive programme of activity in Dundee and Angus, North East Fife, and Aberdeenshire.  The college supports local economic growth and social regeneration by operating in close collaboration with a large number of strategic partners.  The College is continuing to refresh its portfolio of courses on offer on a rolling basis and a major curriculum review is underway to support the significant strategic opportunities developing within the region.

The College employs just over 1,000 staff, enrols c.17,000 students each year and has an annual turnover of c.£40 million. Dundee and Angus’ combined regional estate consists of three main campuses, two in Dundee and one in Arbroath, with plans being progressed for a major redevelopment of the Kingsway site in Dundee.