Brief biographies of all Office Bearers and Business Committee Members. Officers Chairman HRH The Princess Royal Content Secretary Professor Ann Smyth Secretary of the General Council 2018 - 2022 Image Ann graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a B.Sc. in Psychology(1970); Ph.D.(1974) and M.Phil.(Clin.Psychol.) in 1975. She worked in clinical practice and led a research team working on psychosocial issues in cancer and cancer genetics. She had leadership roles in several national and international bodies including the Board of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer through which she established a unit in Brussels concerned with patient reported outcomes in international clinical trials in oncology. From 2001-8 she was Director of Training for Psychology Services for NHS Scotland with responsibility for expansion and modernisation in postgraduate education for psychologists to meet NHS service needs. From 2007-15 she served as a General Council Assessor on the Court of the University of Edinburgh and hence as a member of the Business Committee. She was a member of the Steering Group of The Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance (2017). Registrar General Council Assessors on the University Court Ms Doreen Davidson General Council Assessor To Court 2013-2021 Image Doreen Davidson graduated as a Bachelor of Arts from Edinburgh University. She went on to do a post-graduate course in Human Resource management and is a member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD). She has had a long career in human resource management, initially in the publishing sector (with Holmes McDougall), as well as a short spell with a large organisation in Johannesburg, South Africa (Brown Boveri). For the last 30 years she has worked with a large contract research organisation. The company was originally known as Inveresk Research but became part of a global organisation of more than 7,000 staff called Charles River Laboratories, headquartered in Massachusetts, in October 2004. Her current role is Senior Director of Human Resources for their UK and Ireland operations (ca 1,100 staff). As well as having overall responsibility for all human resources and training strategies in these territories, she is also a member of the Executive management team which oversees the preclinical operations in the UK and Ireland. During the period when the company was part of the Inveresk group, she played an active role in mergers and acquisitions including a management buy-out, a number of European acquisitions, a US NASDAQ listing and the sale of the Inveresk group to Charles River in 2004. In addition to the above, she was a member of the General Council Business Committee for 4 years (until June 2012) and during this time she was Convener of the Finance & Services Standing Committee for 3 years. She is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the Scottish Life Sciences Association and is chair of their Human Resources Special Interest Group. She was elected to join the Court of Edinburgh University from August 2013. Mr Jock Millican General Council Assessor to Court 2019-2023 Image Business Angel and Mentor working with SMEs to help them grow and develop through input of sound business knowledge and funding if required. He set up Equity Gap – a business angel syndicate in August 2010 and it now has approximately 150 members and they have invested in 26 companies. He is Chairman of LINC Scotland, the Scottish Business Angel Association and on the Board of a number of SME companies, including Sunamp who make heat batteries and use technology developed at University of Edinburgh. Born and brought up in the Scottish Borders. Jock attended University of Edinburgh, gaining an Honours degree in Chemical Engineering and then gained a Diploma in Malting and Brewing at Heriot Watt University. He worked with Scottish & Newcastle for almost 30 years in production, operations and logistics roles, with 20 of these years as a Director. In 2006 Jock left S&N and set up his management consultancy, Millican Associates. In addition to the above, he is currently a member of the General Council Business Committee and was Convener of the Finance & Services Standing Committee. Outside work his main interest is rugby. He was a Director with the Scottish Rugby Union for 6 years and a Director of 6 Nations Rugby for 4 years. In 2011 he was interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Rugby Union for 5 months. In his playing days he played for many clubs across the UK including Leicester, Heriot’s and Newcastle Northern. Jock gained 3 full caps for Scotland in 1973 while playing for University of Edinburgh. He is the last male player to be capped while playing for University of Edinburgh. He has also been President of Heriot’s Rugby and Edinburgh University Rugby Club. The Hon Lady Wolffe (Sarah P L Wolffe QC) General Council Assessor to Court 2019-2023 Image The Hon Lady Wolffe (Sarah P L Wolffe QC) was appointed as a Senator of the College of Justice, Scotland’s Supreme Courts, in 2014. She is one of the Commercial Court judges, and the first woman in Scotland to hold that position. She was called to the Scottish Bar in 1994; appointed a standing junior to the Department of Trade and Industry in 1996, and took silk in 2008. Her principal areas in practice were in Commercial and Public law. She was one of the founding members of Axiom Advocates. While in practice, she was a contributor or Scottish editor to a number of editions of two legal textbooks, MacGillivray on Insurance Law and Mithani on Director’s Disqualification. She was one of the UK members on the Panel of Experts looking at the harmonisation of aspects of professional indemnity insurance. She was also, prior to her appointment, the Chancellor (or legal advisor) to several Bishops in the Scottish Episcopal Church. She was born in the United States and her first degree was from Dartmouth College (graduating Summa cum Laude), one of the Ivy League colleges. After post-graduate work at Balliol College at the University of Oxford, she took a graduate LLB from the University of Edinburgh. Her husband is the Lord Advocate. She has two grown sons (of whom she is inordinately proud). Business Committee Convener Sir Philip Mawer Business Committee Member 2014-2018 and Convener of the Business Committee 2020-2024 Image Philip Mawer was a member of the Business Committee from 2014-18, during which he convened its Finance and Services Committee. An experienced Chairman, his career includes spells as a senior civil servant, Secretary General of the General Synod of the Church of England, Westminster's Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests to two Prime Ministers and Chair of Allchurches Trust, a major grant-making charity. Vice Convener Mr Gordon Cairns Vice-Convener of the Business Committee 2016-2024 Image Gordon Cairns has previously served on the Business Committee and hopes to provide added value to the committee, given his experience as a solicitor, tribunal judge, university tutor and examiner. He considers working to enhance the reputation of the University and the student experience through membership of the Business Committee to be an honour and a privilege. Standing Committee Conveners Convener of Academic Standing Committee Professor Stephen Hillier, OBE Convener of the Academic Standing Committee 2016-2024 Image My association with the University includes three decades of academic staff membership, with six years as Vice-Principal International. I received an OBE in 2015 for 'services to International Higher Education'. If re-elected I would strive to ensure that student and staff wellbeing remain top of the Business Committee agenda. Convener of Constitutional Standing Committee Mr Gordon Cairns Gordon Cairns has previously served on the Business Committee and hopes to provide added value to the committee, given his experience as a solicitor, tribunal judge, university tutor and examiner. He considers working to enhance the reputation of the University and the student experience through membership of the Business Committee to be an honour and a privilege. Image Convener of Finance and Services Standing Committee Dr William Duncan Member of the Business Committee 2018-2022 Image William Duncan was Chief Executive of the The Royal Society of Edinburgh - Scotland's national academy of science and letters - for over 30 years and believes this gives him considerable insight into the challenges and opportunities the HE sector faces from the introduction of the Teaching Excellence Framework, creation of UKRI and Brexit. Convener of Public Affairs Standing Committee Ms Candice Donnelly Business Committee Member and Convener of the Public Affairs Standing Committee 2018-2022 Candice Donnelly graduated from the University in 2005 with a Law degree and obtained her Diploma in Legal Practice in 2006. She is currently a solicitor and is keen to use her expertise in corporate governance and strategic projects to support the University. Image Convener of International Standing Committee Ms Krystyna Szumelukowa Business Committee Member 2016-2020 and Convener of the International Standing Committee 2020-2024 Image Krysytna Szumelukowa was educated at Newland High School in kingston upon Hull and King's College at the University of London from which evolved a career in town and country planning and research, corporate management and economic development in London, East Sussex, Humberside and Edinburgh. Subsequently she took a Master of Philosophy Research degree at the University of Edinburgh specialising in the Ancient History and Archaeology of The Levant. Simultaneously she has been active in UK-Poland connections with EU, national and local organisations and governments, business links, culture and charitable projects; international election observations; Edinburgh World Heritage and local community relations. The next four years in the international life of the university will be challenging and the International Business Committee looks forward to making its contribution to meeting the challenges. Members Chancellor’s Assessor Sheriff Principal Alastair Dunlop QC Chancellor's Assessor Image Alastair Dunlop is a graduate of the University of Dundee and was called to the Scottish Bar in 1978, practicing mainly in civil law but for a three-year period serving as an advocate depute prosecuting in the High Court. He later served as a part time Chair of both the Pensions Appeal Tribunal and the Employment Tribunal. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1990 and for a period of nine years held office as Procurator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland before being appointed Sheriff Principal of Tayside, Central & Fife in 2000, which office he held until his retirement in 2015. He has also served as a Temporary Judge of the Court of Session and continues to be a part time member of the Sheriff Appeal Court. During his period of office as sheriff principal he was a Commissioner of Northern Lighthouses and served as Chairman of the Board between 2011 and 2013. He was also a member of the Scottish Court Service Board. Dr Frances Dow Business Committee Member 2020-2024 Since retiring from the University of Edinburgh I have held several non-executive positions in healthcare and education (including the Council for At-Risk Academics). This involvement with public policy and governance issues has given me insights into the challenges facing staff and students and the University's social and economic role. Image Mrs Almira Delibegovic-Broome Business Committee Member 2020-2024 Queen's Counsel at the Scots Bar, with wode experience of commercial work. Originally from Bosnia-Herzegovina. Was a part-time tutor and lecturer at Edinburgh. Attended Harvard twice (LLM student 2002-2; Visiting Scholar 2018-19). Can contribute legal, business, academic and analytical skills, informed by that background. Image Mr Peter De Vink Business Committee Member 2020-2024 Financially very switched on, is well connected in commercial and entrepreneurial circles, is a lateral thinker with significant international background and contacts. Is determined to help the University who shaped him for life and who he owes so much to. Image Professor Andrew Miller Business Committee Member 2017 - 2021 Image Professor Miller has a lifetime's experience as an academic at levels from Assistant Lecturer to Principal at five universities: Edinburgh, Melbourne, Oxford, Grenoble and Stirling. He is the Founding Director of two European Research Laboratories: EMBL (1975-80) and ESRF (1986-1991). He is familiar with funding bodies from Government to Charities. Ms Judith Drake Business Committee Member 2017-2021 Image During Judith's undergraduate degree she was convener of the Disability and Mental Wellbeing Action Group and member of the Access and Facilities Sub-group Committee. She has extensive experience of disability and equality issues and as a current student she looks forward to supporting the Business Committee to improve disability access. The Rt Rev Brian Smith Business Committee Member 2017-2021 Image Brian Smith was born and attended school in Edinburgh. He graduated in philosophy in 1966 (MA). He next studied theology at Cambridge (MA, MLitt), moved to Oxford, where he was ordained, and taught theology at Cuddesdon College. He has held a number of ecclesiastical appointments, together with responsibilities in the field of theological education. He was appointed bishop of Tonbridge in 1993, and was subsequently elected bishop of Edinburgh in 2001. He retired from that post in 2011. He has served on the governors of a number of schools and training institutions. He has been a Director of Waverley Care, and a member of the UK UNESCO "Memory of the World" Committee. Since retirement he also paid visits to Botswana, as a volunteer, to teach theology. In 2017 the Senatus Academicus of the University of Edinburgh invited him to be admitted to the Honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. The degree will be conferred at a ceremony in 2018. Mr John Clifford Business Committee Member 2013-2021 Image A graduate of Oxford (German/French) and Edinburgh (European Legal Studies), and Austrian Consul for Scotland, John Clifford's professional life is focused on inter-national discourse across the range of public affairs. He hopes to contribute to strengthening Edinburgh University’s links with European, and other, places of learning, government and people. Dr David Houston Business Committee Member 2014-2022 Image My strengths are in strategic finance and management which have served me well in local authority top teams, as a director of a professional society and a management consultant. I wish to bring these skills and experiences to assist the University’s strategic planning in consultation with members. Professor Ario Santini Member of the Business Committee 2018-2022 Image Ario Santini graduated in 1966 with a degree in Dentistry and is currently University Professor at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Targu Mures. He is confident that his connection with two continental universities could assist with the University's international links with institutes of learning and peoples in Europe. Ms Candice Donnelly Member of the Business Committee 2018-2022 Image Candice Donnelly graduated from the University in 2005 with a Law degree and obtained her Diploma in Legal Practice in 2006. She is currently a solicitor and is keen to use her expertise in corporate governance and strategic projects to support the University. Mr Arron Ashton Member of the Business Committee 2018-2022 Image Arron Ashton graduated from the School of GeoSciences in 2013 and has worked in the public sector since. He can contribute by bringing modern thinking and ensuring that the University continues to utilise its world-leading talent and react appropriately to the ever-changing global landscape. Ms Moyra Forrest Business Committee Member 2019 - 2023 Image Moyra Forrest retired in 2013 after 37 years working part-time in the University, latterly as Information Officer for the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation. She combined this variously with working as a librarian in the private sector, freelance book indexing, and 13 years public service as an Edinburgh City Councilor. She is interested particularly in the role of the University in the life of the city - where it is both a major employer, and offers and supports lifelong opportunities for learning. Dr Bruce Ritson Business Committee Member 2019-2023 Image Formerly consultant and senior lecturer in Psychiatry in Edinburgh. Member of Business Committee of General Council (2010-2014), Convener Academic Standing Committee from 2012. This experience revealed the diversity and excellence of the University and highlighted for me the challenge of ensuring that the student experience is personally rewarding and enriching. Lady Joyce Caplan Business Committee member 2019-2023 Image Lady Caplan is President of Friends of Edinburgh University Library, Trustee of Scottish PEN and Chair of the Poetry Association of Scotland. She has taught English Literature at Edinburgh University for 25 years and is committed to maximising students' learning opportunities within the University framework. She chairs several Scottish NGOs. This article was published on 2024-07-08
