Dundee University’s interim principal Shane O’Neill is quitting his post after coming under intense criticism in an independent report.
He took over from Professor Iain Gillespie when he resigned in November 2024 but immediately faced a no confidence vote by staff.
Alongside Mr O’Neill, the university said its acting chair of court Tricia Bey will also stand down with immediate effect.
She is joined by chair of the governing body’s finance and policy committee, Carla Rossini.
Professor O’Neill, alongside other senior leaders, were found to have repeatedly failed in his duties as the institution hurtled towards a cash crisis that left it on the brink of collapse.
The departing principal has also been recalled to give evidence to Holyrood education committee on Thursday June 26.
Convener Douglas Ross said: “In light of the evidence in Pamela Gillies’ report the committee has recalled former principal Professor Shane O’Neill to give evidence alongside his predecessor, Professor Iain Gillespie.”
The independent probe, conducted by Professor Pamela Gillies, also found the university executive had breached ethical standards.
Mr O’Neill apologised to those affected by the crisis.
He said: “It is with a very heavy heart, having committed myself fully to the recovery process over these past months, that I have decided to step aside from my position and will be leaving the university.
“It is important that the university can move on and I recognise that this will be easier with new leadership.”
‘I am truly sorry’
He says the decision has not been an easy one after four years at the institution.
The departing interim principal added: “The university will continue to have a transformative impact for many years to come through education, research and enterprise.
“I have done all I can to set the university on a path to recovery, engaging with internal and external stakeholders to find the best way forward. I had hoped that we would be further along that path by now, and it will now be for others to steer that course into the future.
“I am truly sorry for the impact this financial crisis has had on many people, particularly our staff and students.”
Replacement could be announced ‘within days’
Dr Iain Mair, deputy chair of the university court, said he hoped to announce an interim principal “in a matter of days”.
Reacting to Mr O’Neill’s resignation, Dundee-based MSP Michael Marra said: “It is right that the Interim Principal has recognised his position is untenable – but the lessons of this go beyond a single institution.
“The Scottish Government must reckon with the fact that it has made all Scottish universities vulnerable to this kind of crisis, if they and the communities they serve have the misfortune of being led by a management so clearly out of its depth.”
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