Dundee University has appointed an interim principal to replace Professor Andrew Atherton, who resigned after less than a year in charge.
Professor David Maguire will take up the role of Interim Principal and Vice-Chancellor on February 1.
His contract will run for seven months.
Professor Maguire is chairman of Jisc, the UK higher, further education and skills sectors’ not-for-profit organisation for digital services and solutions, and will continue in that part-time role while at Dundee.
He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich until December 2019.
Professor Maguire said: “I am really pleased to be joining the University of Dundee, an excellent university with a wonderful community of staff and students.
“I am committed to helping Dundee maintain momentum and press forward with its aspirational strategic plan.”
Ronnie Bowie, chairman of the University Court, said: “David brings to us a wealth of experience of leadership in higher education and the private sector, both in the UK and the USA.
“He recognises the values which have made Dundee such an outstanding University and can help us realise our ambitions, building on our achievements as the University of the Year 2020 for Student Experience.”
Professor Maguire was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich from 2011 to 2019, and before that Pro Vice-Chancellor (research and enterprise) at Birmingham City University.
He holds a doctorate from the University of Bristol and a BSc from the University of Exeter.
He is an acknowledged expert in computer mapping and geographic information systems and has published seven books and over 100 scientific and technical publications.
Professor Maguire will receive a salary of £235,000 pro-rata.
He replaced Professor Atherton, whose brief tenure in charge of Dundee University ended with his resignation last year.
After taking up the role on January 1 2019, he was suspended in September following a dispute over alleged non-payment of rent at the luxury university flat on Perth Road where he was staying.
It then emerged several staff members had made accusations of bullying.
He resigned in November and received six months’ pay in lieu of notice.
The University is continuing its search for a permanent new principal and is expected to advertise the post soon.
