Notable Alumni

Francis Masson - Botanist and Explorer  
Francis Masson - Botanist and Explorer

The University of Aberdeen has a highly active and growing alumni community. We are proud of our many graduates all around the world. Visit our Alumni website to find out more about our worldwide community of over 66,000 alumni, living in 150 countries, to keep in touch, and receive all the benefits of being an alumnus of the University of Aberdeen.

For 500 years, the University has produced outstanding people - and it continues to do so today. Here (in alphabetical order) are just a few of our graduates who are making significant contributions in professional and public life today:

  • Brian Adam MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business, Scottish Government 
  • Lord Addinton
  • Alasdair Allan MSP, Minister for Learning and Skills, Scottish Government
  • Richard Baker MSP
  • Dame Anne Begg MP
  • Ian Birrell, journalist and former Deputy Editor, The Independent
  • Rhona Brankin former MSP, Deputy Minister for Health & Community Care, 2004-2007
  • Robert Brown former MSP, Deputy Minister for Education & Young People, 2005-2007
  • Derek Brownlee former MSP
  • Professor Sir Colin Campbell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Nottingham, 1988-2008
  • Nicky Campbell, Broadcaster, BBC
  • Alistair Carmichael MP
  • Lord Stephen Carter, Baron Carter of Barnes CBE, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Alcatel-Lucent
  • Katy Clark MP
  • Professor Robert J Cormack, Former Principal, UHI Millennium Institute
  • Sir Don Cruickshank, Chairman of the London Stock Exchange, 2000-03
  • Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Scottish Government 
  • Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, former Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • The Hon Lady Dorrian QC, Judge of the Supreme Court, Scotland
  • Murdo Fraser MSP
  • Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive, Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  • Martin Gilbert, CEO, Aberdeen Asset Management plc
  • Pamela Gillies, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Hamish Glen Artistic Director, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
  • Iain Glen, Actor
  • Iain Gray, CEO, Technology Strategy Board
  • Robin Harper former MSP and former Leader, Scottish Green Party
  • Paul Harris, Author & Journalist
  • Ken Hay, Chief Executive, Scottish Screen
  • Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, former Minister for the Olympics 
  • Richard Klein, Controller of BBC 4
  • Faith Liddell, Director, Festivals Edinburgh
  • Lewis Macdonald MSP
  • Lord Blencathra, Minister of State 1992-1997 (was Rt Hon David Maclean MP)
  • Mark McDonald MSP
  • Nanette Milne MSP
  • Frank Mulholland QC, Lord Advocate for Scotland
  • Hamish Mykura, Head of Documentaries, Channel 4
  • James Naughtie, Broadcaster / Presenter, The Today Programme,  BBC Radio 4
  • Dr Bernard Nottage, Bahaman Parliamentarian and Sportsman
  • Paddy O’Connell, Broadcaster, BBC
  • Glen Oglaza, Special Correspondent, Sky News
  • The Hon A Gail Prudenti, Supreme Court Justice, New York State
  • Susan Rice CBE, Chairman & Chief Executive, Lloyds TSB Scotland plc
  • Angus Robertson MP
  • Lord Sewel of Gilcomstoun CBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, 1997-1999
  • Tommy Sheppard, founder of The Stand comedy club
  • Ali Smith, Author
  • James Smith, former Chairman, Shell UK
  • Lord Stephen, former MSP and Deputy First Minister, 2005-2007 (was Nicol Stephen MSP)
  • Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Scottish Government
  • Athole Still, Leading Sports Agent & Managing Director, Athole Still International
  • Lord Sutherland of Houndwood Kt, Vice Chancellor, University of Edinburgh, 1994-2002
  • Otto Thoresen, Director General, Association of British Insurers
  • Willie Watt, Chief Executive Officer, Martin Currie Investment Management
  • Mike Weir MP
  • Will Whitehorn,  formerPresident, Virgin Galactic