A depute principal at cash-strapped UHI Perth is being investigated after booking an official work car for 17 straight days – even though he didn’t attend any off-campus meetings.
Records show Lorenz Cairns borrowed the publicly-funded electric vehicle for more than two weeks between January 16 and February 2, 2023.
But university bosses at the institution were unable to say why he required it when he had no external business to attend during this time.
The GMB, a trade union which represent workers at UHI Perth, led calls for his use of the electric car to be probed.
“The suggestion that one of the most senior college managers would simply commandeer an official car for his own use will frustrate our members but not surprise them,” said Keir Greenway, a senior organiser.
“This incident should be investigated and explained as part of a much wider review into how the leadership of the college has steered it into such financial difficulties.”
Troubled UHI Perth has been battling a cash crisis and even briefly floated cutting all degrees to plug a £2 million black hole.
Documents show the depute principal regularly booked the white Hyundai Ionia overnight.
UHI Perth said the electric car was used for “local business”, without clarifying at the time that Mr Cairns had no meetings off-site.
University bosses acknowledge the senior executive booked the car for “occasional travel” between work and home to “carry out duties”.
They say this allowed Mr Cairns to “respond flexibly to college requirements, including short-notice or urgent tasks”.
Official policies state that any vehicle owned, leased, or hired by the institution must be used for “UHI Perth business only”.
An initial statement released by UHI Perth in May 2025 said: “The electric company car was used in accordance with estates procedures.”
At that time, Mr Cairns was serving as acting principal while his then boss Margaret Cook was off work.
Ms Cook later resigned and has since been replaced by new interim chief Catherine Etri, a former UHI Perth vice principal.
The university confirmed a probe had been launched “following the recent changes in leadership”.
UHI Perth could not explain why Mr Cairns – earning at least £86,000 per year as of July 2023 – did not hire a car at his own expense.
The electric vehicle leased by the university has since been returned to Arnold Clark.
Estimates suggest hiring the same car now for 17 days would cost just over £700.
UHI Perth previously told us “the car was available for all staff to use” before Mr Cairns rented it out, had they wished to do so.
Mr Cairns will retire later this year and is currently working a six-month notice period.
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