Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Dundee University resigns after business trip row

The Principal of the University of Dundee (UoD) has resigned, after having initially defended taking business class flights to Hong Kong using the University’s funding.

This comes less than a month after he declared that job cuts to university staff were “inevitable”. 

The University announced on 6 December that Professor Ian Gillespie was stepping down from his roles as vice-chancellor and principal with “immediate effect”. It stressed that under Gillespie’s tenure, it had been named Scotland’s ‘University of the Year’ by the Herald and Daily Mail. 

In November, Gillespie claimed that it was a “challenging period” for UK higher education. This was his purported justification for the “inevitable” job cuts he announced at the same time. 

The trip, which aimed at building closer relations between the University and China, cost Gillespie £4,723 for himself, and a further £1,067 for an accompanying colleague who flew a cheaper fare.

The trip, which aimed at building closer relations between the University and China, cost Gillespie £4,723 for himself, and a further £1,067 for an accompanying colleague who flew a cheaper fare. 

A further £8,300 was due to be spent on a trip to China and Dubai, before criticism led them to be rebooked as premium economy. After further backlash over the spending Gillespie made the decision to step down.

In contrast, the Vice-Chancellor of Warwick University claimed some £17,311 in air travel expenses between 2023 and 2024. Stated on the Executive Office’s website is that they are allowed ‘business class travel,’ as part of their contract.

Dundee University claims Gillespie had been given permission by its chair of court to travel premium economy or business class on flights paid for by the institution. 

The now former principal initially defended his actions, stressing the importance of countries like China in the University’s global strategy.

At the same time UoD’s budget deficit has remained at around £30m, something Gillespie in November called “significant”, and the main reason for job cuts being necessary. 

Gillespie’s salary also rose from £143,000 in 2021, to £259,000 in 2023, according to UoD’s financial statements.

Gillespie had been principal since 2021 and had also been elected to a two-year position as convener for Universities Scotland. Following his resignation he has also stepped down from this position.