Current members

Convener of the Business Committee 2024-2028

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Vice-Convener of the Business Committee 2024-2028

Recently retired administrator with extensive knowledge of HE and the University.  Held Deputy Secretary, Director of Planning and College Registrar roles in the University.  Governance/non-executive director experience includes Chair of Association of University Administrators, governor of University of the Highlands and Islands, Management Committee Student Awards Agency Scotland.

Member of the Business Committee since 2022.

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During 36 years as an Edinburgh academic I have contributed widely in research, teaching and various management roles.  As Dean of Learning I worked with a very wide range of colleagues across the University and hope to use my experience to support the continued success of the University.

Member of the Business Committee 2020-2028

Convener of the Academic Standing Committee since 2024

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Candice Donnelly graduated from the University in 2005 with a Law degree and obtained her Diploma in Legal Practice in 2006.  After working in financial services, Candice is now a solicitor at a technology company, where she advises on strategic projects and corporate governance. She is a trustee and adviser for several local organizations, including a charity for young people with additional needs. She has never quite managed to leave the University, having taught post graduate students here since graduating herself, and welcomes the opportunity to represent the continuing interests of General Council members in the University's operations and developments.

Member of the Business Committee from 2018-2026

Convener of the Constitutional Standing Committee since 2024

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Third generation Edinburgh alumna.  Former member of staff (14 years), latterly as the Head of Research Policy & Planning Services.  Now working in software development, serving the higher education research sector and collaborating with institutions to help them meet statutory requirements and showcase their research expertise.

Business Committee Member from 2023-2027

Convener of Finance and Services Standing Committee since 2025

I bring experience including:

• leadership and change management from a 30 year+ international business career, from marketing, communications and strategy to Global Executive Head of HR.
• knowledge of good governance and impactful championing from serving as Non-Executive Director at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Chatham House.

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Member of the Business Committee 2023-2027

I could contribute effectively to the work of the Business Committee by drawing on my extensive knowledge of higher education; wide experience of working in the sector; and the relevant skills I have developed in different roles, including General Secretary of the RSE and Chair of the Scottish Funding Council.

Member of the Business Committee 2022-2026

Convener of Public Affairs Standing Committee since 2024

Business Committee Member 2025-2029

Since establishing my practice after graduating I have developed a sound pragmatic knowledge in managing people, construction and expectation. I am proud of the achievements of my award-winning practice www.lornmacneal.co.uk and Playfair Properties Ltd creating homes over 30 years. I have served as governor at Loretto, acted as adviser to the Edinburgh Academy Court, represented the RIAS Committee, and the Cockburn Association over many years.

With the time now to give back, I am honoured to serve on the General Council, contributing my knowledge and expertise, especially in estate and business management.

Business Committee Member 2023-2027

Mary Gunn (PhD, MBA, MA, LLM), is a global board leader with 30 years of public and private governance experience in high growth life science, financial services, and education sectors; during which she provided fiduciary and strategic oversight, worked with activists, engaged in proxy contests, identified areas of growth (including organic international expansion, licensing agreements, co-development with strategic partners, global M&A), supported fundraising, led successful exits, leveraged debt and other financial instruments, ensured compliance and ethics, and hired/evaluated the CEO/CCO/CMO.  Gunn has been an advisor and partner to publicly traded diversified funds, private equity, venture capital, sovereign wealth, and family offices for 15 years supporting the deployment of $20B+ across 150 investments. She also served on the advisory board of the 250-year-old Brown University and as the Chairman for SpotArt Foundation (Cultural Diplomacy).  Gunn currently serves on the EWIT board overseeing asset managers Baillie Gifford.  Gunn studied law at the University of Edinburgh. 

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Business Committee Member 2025-2029

Devin Scobie graduated MA (Hons) History from Edinburgh University in 1987 and after a spell as a travel journalist has worked in the communications business ever since. His student claim to fame was securing what remains the only private interview ever granted to Student newspaper by then Chancellor, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Devin is now one of the most experienced political consultants in Scotland, having stepped back from the business he set up in 2006 during lockdown to resume self-employment. He now works with a small but busy range of clients spanning the rail industry to building safety. Devin's experience includes a spell as an elected member of the City of Edinburgh Council and he has been Chair of UK Charity Starfish Asia, funding primary schools in slum districts of Pakistan, since January 2020.

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Previously Member of the Business Committee 2022-2025

Business Committee Member 2024-2028

Dr Nikhil Agarwal is India’s foremost expert on Startups, Innovation and Policy. He is current serving as Managing Director, FITT, IIT-Delhi.Between 2019-24 he was holding the dual charge of CEO of SIIC and AIIDE at IIT - Kanpur. SIIC is the largest tech-incubator in the country today with over 250+ incubated startups. IIT Kanpur is #1 in innovation in 2023 in NIRF ranking. Between 2021-22, he was holding additional charge as CEO of C3iHub (Cybersecurity and Cybersecurity of Physical-Systems Innovation Hub).In 2018, he is appointed as Vice Chairman, Mahaashmita Livelihood Rural Accelerator Program (MILAP), Govt of Maharashtra – a program in joint collaboration with MSRLM and FICCI. In 2014, Indian Prime Minister urged Indian diaspora to return to the country to serve the motherland. Dr Agarwal responded to the call and returned from UK to join Govt of Andhra Pradesh as Chief Executive Officer, Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society (CEO, APIS) to kickstart the statewide innovation agenda between 2015-2017.He is also the founder of Entrepreneur Café – a global movement spread in 110 cities and six continents, connecting over 45,000 entrepreneurs. Dr Agarwal has founded businesses and advised firms on strategic matters in last 20 years of his career. He has worked with global multinationals like Cadbury's, FIC and Zensar (RPG Group). He has lectured at leading universities like Virginia Tech Polytechnic & State University, University of Bradford and University of Cambridge. His articles, interviews and work has been extensively covered in international media including Harvard Business Review Blog, Forbes, CNN Money, BBC Radio, The New York Times and Economic Times.Professor Agarwal has served on many international think tanks and hold leadership positions in global organizations such as WBAF. Between 2006 -13 he served as high-level-advisor to United Nations Global Alliance on ICT & Development (UNGAID). He was the first Asian to be elected as Co-Chair of prestigious Internet Society Advisory Council (ISOC-AC) for 2008-10. Between 2017-19, he was the Hon Fellow of IC2 Institute, University of Texas at Austin. He is recipient of ‘Excellence in Promoting Innovation in Governance” by Govt of Rajasthan, India.Nikhil has earned MPhil (University of Cambridge) and PhD (University of Edinburgh) in United Kingdom.Nikhil has interest in martial arts – he is co-recipient of ‘Guinness World Record’ in Taekwondo in 2017. In his free time (or when he is flying), he likes to read and watch shows on Netflix.

Business Committee Member 2024-2028

My main contribution to the Business Committee would be on international and/or postgraduate matters: I have represented the University in China and worked extensively in Asia and the USA. I chaired the postgraduate report for the curriculum transformation project for the University. I served as Professor and Head of Moray House from October 2019 to October 2022. This position enabled me to work at high levels within the University, attending Senate and (by invitation) Court as well as to engage in the strategic and day-to-day management of a large School within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Business Committee Member 2024-2028

As a former Head of Higher Education in the Scottish Government, I have a long-time interest in how universities meet the substantial challenges they face. Since leaving the senior civil service, I have researched and published on higher education, especially funding and access, recently completing a PhD at the University on student finance, with an interest also in questions of academic freedom. I have lived in Edinburgh for many years and have a child at a LEAPS programme school. I would welcome the opportunity to use my experience to help the University flourish as a local, national and international institution.

Business Committee Member 2024-2028

I believe that my extensive experience in medicine, professional bodies and chairing committees could be of great value to the Council. I worked in Malawi and as a general practitioner and educator in Scotland for many years. I was Chair, Royal College of GPs in Scotland from 2010 to 2014 and deputy director of the Scottish School of Primary Care 2015-2019. www.sspc.ac.uk I speak Scottish Gaelic. In 2018, I was asked by Scottish Government, and Scottish Medical Schools Board to chair a report on increasing GP input into undergraduate medical education in Scotland, involving communication across all Scottish medical schools.

Business Committee Member 2025-2029

During my time as an academic at the University I have held a number of leadership roles, including Dean of Learning and Teaching for the College of Science and Engineering.  I have also contributed to a wide range of strategic initiatives aimed at the development of student education and student support, and have worked extensively with colleagues from across the University. I have substantial experience of teaching and supporting students. I will use my experience to contribute to the work of the Business Committee and the University.

Previously Member of the Business Committee 2024-25

Business Committee Member 2025-2029

Recently retired from a career in university leadership and management, Dorothy Welch is passionate about the value of higher education.  She has extensive experience of working at the University of Edinburgh in a wide range of roles and, latterly, at the University of Glasgow.  Having started her career in a lecturing role she has held a wide range of administrative roles.  She is committed to access to the University and the time is right for her to give back to the University.  She looks forward to contributing as a member of the General Council Business Committee.

Previously Member of the Business Committee 2024-2025

Business Committee Member 2024-2026

Max graduated from the University with a Double First Class Honours in Chinese & Russian (2022) before completing an MSc in East Asian Relations (2023). He was selected for the highly competitive Schwarzman Scholarship, which he completed at Tsinghua University in China, graduating with an MA in Global Affairs (2024). Max is the founder of the One Scotland Initiative, a Scottish charity with branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Stirling focused on enhancing cultural exchange through collaboration between student communities and locals. He represented the University at the United Nations COP26 in Glasgow and served on the Board of Trustees of the Edinburgh University Students' Association from 2019 to 2024. Max is committed to enhancing the reputation of the University at home and abroad, with a focus on improving the student experience, links with the City of Edinburgh, and international partnerships.

Business Committee Member 2024-2026

Having started my working life at the University, implementing the current website system, I’d enjoy being able to influence the direction of University through Committee membership.

My experience in IT since then has given me a grounding in the challenges and opportunities that face organisations as they go through periods of change and transformation. This ranges for implementing and designing solutions to sitting on governance bodies. I feel this puts me in a good position to constructively contribute both to the specific IT aspects that have been identified as being required but also across all the committee’s responsibilities.

Business Committee Member 2025-2029

With 18 years of leadership and management experience in the NHS and Local Government, and a decade in academia, I offer substantial expertise. I excel in programme management, strategic planning, and have a thorough grasp of large, complex systems. I understand University dynamics and the interdependence of its stakeholders. Experienced in student welfare, I have provided essential support to numerous students. I have effectively led large teams, overseen significant budgets, and introduced innovative healthcare solutions. My proficiency in managing complex relationships and driving positive change makes me well-equipped to contribute successfully to the Business Committee.

Business Committee Member 2025-2029

Kate is a Non-Executive Director in agricultural, veterinary, food and public health organisations including regulatory bodies in the public and private sectors, all of which draw on previous roles as a senior civil servant in Whitehall, marketing for a global pharmaceutical company and livestock vet. Kate is an Accreditation Panellist for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the UK regulator which sets, maintains and upholds standards of education in UK veterinary schools and has been a panellist on international accreditation visits. Kate’s breadth of experience across multiple sectors brings insights, marketing and communications expertise and knowledge of higher education.  

Business Committee Member 2025-2029

Originally from California, attending the University of Edinburgh both as an undergraduate exchange student and postgraduate significantly changed my life.

Looking back on 18 years in the UK, I‘ve worked in technology startups, venture capital investment, and government policy and have been fortunate to explore all seven continents.

I am profoundly grateful to the University of Edinburgh for the opportunities presented, from the inspiring Entrepreneurship Club to conferences and events at the School of Informatics. I would love to help ensure students continue to be inspired and supported to drive innovation whilst keeping the university prominent on the global stage. 

Business Committee Member 2025-2028

I bring considerable experience in local government corporate policy, strategy, organisational transformation, and risk management, alongside my role as founding chair of a network for young professionals that supports individuals in the early stages of their careers. As a former student convenor for the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, I developed and delivered initiatives to improve student wellbeing and later championed the University as a student ambassador. I am committed to applying a strategic, inclusive approach to the governance of the University, promoting effective representation, transparency, and student-focused leadership.