Aberdeen Council chief named as new Dundee University principal

The chief executive of Aberdeen City Council has been appointed as the new principal and vice-chancellor of Dundee University.

Angela Scott will leave the council later this year after 12 years in the role.

She will take over in October from Professor Nigel Seaton, who has been interim principal at Dundee University since June 2025, amid financial failings at the institution.

An update on future leadership arrangements at Aberdeen City Council will be confirmed in due course.

Dundee University said in June that it still needed to make annual savings of about £20m, mostly from staff costs.

The university announced plans to cut 190 more jobs last month, after cutting about 675 jobs through voluntary redundancies.

It first announced a potential £30m deficit in November 2024 and "inevitable" job cuts.

Scott was born and raised in Dundee and holds a degree in commerce from Abertay University.

Her appointment was confirmed by the university's governing body on Thursday.

She said she was "deeply honoured" to take up the role.

Scott said: "I know first-hand the transformative power of education and the opportunities it can create.

"My own experience inspired a lifelong commitment to public service and a belief that education remains one of the most powerful forces for changing lives."

Scott said the university had a "remarkable history" and a well-earned international reputation for excellence in education, research and innovation.

She added: "I look forward to working with staff, students, alumni and partners to build on those strengths.

"While the university has faced significant challenges in recent years, I am confident in its future.

"By building on the achievements of generations of staff and students, we have an opportunity to strengthen and renew the university for the long term, ensuring it continues to make a positive difference locally, nationally and internationally."

Esther Roberton, the university's chair of court, said the institution was "delighted" at the news.

Robertson said: "She comes to us as the university seeks to rebuild after a traumatic period and I am sure Angela is the right person to lead that recovery.

"Universities across Scotland continue to face significant challenges and Angela has demonstrated her ability to steer an organisation confidently through severe external pressures.

"She brings values-driven leadership, vision and financial discipline, all of which will be critical to the development of a new university strategy to guide its direction over the next five years."

Aberdeen City Council co-leaders Christian Allard and Ian Yuill said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for her and deserved recognition of her leadership, vision, and commitment to public service."

They said Scott had led the council through a period of "significant challenge and transformation" and had "strengthened the organisation and built constructive partnerships across the city, North East, and beyond."

Allard and Yuill said: "We thank Angela for her service and wish her every success in this exciting new chapter.

"She leaves with our very best wishes for the future."