University of Dundee Strategic Advisory Taskforce minutes: July 25 2025

Attendees and apologies

Sir Alan Langlands, Chair

Prof Nigel Seaton, University of Dundee

Amanda Callaghan, Scottish Government

Martin Boyle, SFC

Clare MacPherson, Universities Scotland

Dr David McBeth, University of Dundee

Mike Williamson, University and College Union

Alison Henderson, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce

Jane Martin, Scottish Enterprise

Katrina Currie, Unite

Prof Liz Bacon, Abertay University

Emma Preston, UNISON

Prof Karen Reid, NES

Prof Ineke De Moortel, University of St Andrews

Louise Soutar, University of Dundee

Tánaiste Custance, Dundee University Students’ Association

Peter Hope-Jones, Scottish Government

Lorraine Fraser, Scottish Government

Items and actions

The Chair welcomed everyone and outlined the agenda.

Minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2025 were approved.  

Presentation from Anita Taylor

Anita Taylor presented on Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, emphasising the importance of art and design in the university's recovery. She highlighted the key relationships with industry and the city, and the critical role of art and design in community renewal and regeneration. Taylor stressed that art and design are not just academic disciplines but are integral to the cultural and economic fabric of the community.

University Recovery Plan

Nigel Seaton gave an update on work on the University Recovery Plan, focusing on culture, university staff, and financial management. The change in name from Financial Recovery Plan reflects that the key failings identified in Gillies were around leadership and governance so recovery planning needs to be wider than just financial. The plan aims for a more efficient university with better financial discipline. He emphasised that the recovery plan is not just about financial stability but also about improving the overall culture and operational efficiency of the university which includes, teaching, finance and estate.

There will be time built in for consultation of the plan with the University Executive, Court and SFC. 

The new plan will be more efficient and focus on culture changes.  The university aim to be more open and better disciplined going forward. 

The new plan will be progressed over the next year to 15 months with full engagement under the new Principal.

The university has been consulting with staff and the Unions and this will continue throughout.     

Discussion included:

• The redundancy situation and VSS were discussed, with concerns about the impact on staff and the need for support during the transition. The VSS started a few weeks ago and is set to close next Friday.
• There is no current plan for compulsory redundancies but it cannot be ruled out in the future.
• Reductions in staffing will have an impact but the university is committed to maintaining an acceptable level of quality of courses and services.
• Concern around the loss of experienced staff and the impact this will have on departmental delivery.
• If staff that remain are to be expected to be redeployed this should be communicated sensitively.
• There will need to be efficiencies but staff cannot be expected to take on the work of colleagues who have left.
• There was a question whether Scottish Ministers can provide support to staff looking for new job opportunities.
• Impact on student services needs to be planned and managed around new students arriving.
• The importance of reducing costs and improving financial management was emphasised.
• The university needs to address the immediate liquidity challenge and also build a cash reserve.  No bank will currently give them money in their current position but this needs to be worked towards.
• On the VSS, the first phase had a 94% acceptance.     

Draft Taskforce report discussed

The first draft of the taskforce report highlighted the need for a strategic plan and the importance of addressing sector-wide challenges.  The report also emphasised the economic and social impact of the university.

The taskforce is working on identifying structural funding issues and making recommendations to address them. The university's economic impact is significant, delivering ten times the income received from the Scottish Government.

Workshops have been well-attended and have generated material to help inform the Taskforce Report. 

Discussion included:

• First and opening para is very negative not helpful to the university.  Sir Alan confirmed that paragraph is not intended for inclusion in the final report.
• Sir Alan expressed frustration that substantive financial information and the first Financial Recovery Plan were not made available to the members of the taskforce. 
• The importance of pace had been highlighted at the first meeting but things have not progressed as quickly as they should have at the University.
• There was discussion of possibly reconvening the Taskforce at a later date but this was not agreed.
• There were concerns about the membership and operation of the University Court.
• The university needs to look critically at the balance of activity and what does and does not make money. However this is challenging as both research and teaching Scottish students lose money
• There are serious financial challenges for universities across the UK.  The fact this is true in England and Wales as well shows fees are not necessarily a long-term solution.   
• There was discussion of whether the final report be published, and how will this be communicated – the Chair gave his view this is something the SFC, City of Dundee, University of Dundee and Scottish Ministers to consider. 
• Can University of Dundee be used as a Pathfinder for other institutions facing financial challenges.

Key actions / next steps  

• Engage with NHS Tayside to explore further collaboration opportunities.
• University to reflect on discussion in its work developing the University Recovery Plan.
• Continue discussions on the redundancy and VSS situation, ensuring support for affected staff.
• The Chair and Secretariat to further develop the draft Taskforce report reflecting the discussion, including:
• Restructuring to align more closely with the Terms of Reference
• Expanding the section on the workshops
• Mentioning the actual cost of educating a student if this can be provided
• Drawing out recommendations a bit more clearly
• Potentially moving material on the work of schools into an annex

AOB

Nigel and Sir Alan thanked the taskforce members for their contributions throughout.

Sir Alan thanked SG officials for their ongoing support. 

Date of next meeting

No further meetings planned.