Gwen Smith, School Business Manager at the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, will be taking early retirement from her role at the end of November 2022.
Gwen joined the University back in 1989 working as an Administrative Officer in Registry. Her outstanding support has been recognised by each and every one of the previous Heads of School, College and Faculty with whom she has worked over this time.
Gwen served as Faculty Officer for Arts & Social Sciences from 1993 until moving to Foresterhill in 1998 as Faculty Officer for Medicine and Medical Sciences. This appointment was instrumental in bringing forward change in the Faculty and Gwen was a driving force in this period.
Following the creation of Colleges in 2003, Gwen was appointed as College Registrar and again enabled the College to grow, to upgrade and create several new teaching and research facilities. Gwen was then appointed as School Business Manager in 2016 and has worked tirelessly to support our community of staff and students.
Gwen has established a fantastic network beyond the School, across the professional services and the NHS which really enabled work to progress on multiple projects often in tight timescales. She has also worked very closely with colleagues in the Development Trust to bring in major donors to support the work of the School and also found innovative ways to showcase how regular giving can support research and studentships and was always on hand to show case the excellent work that this funding can produce.
Gwen has been a real champion for the development of staff within the School Professional Services team and the wider academic community. She sees the potential in people and gives them the platform to develop and grow. Many of our current professional services staff have been trained and supported by Gwen over the years and will be a lasting testament to her commitment to the School and the wider University.
Another of Gwen’s legacies will be that everything is better with a cake, she liked nothing better than bringing in home bakes to celebrate birthdays, enhance a meeting’s vibe or just to say thank you to one of the team for a job well-done.
Everyone is invited to contribute to a leaving gift for Gwen using this link to the collection and to leave best wishes on either the electronic card on this link or a physical one which will be held with Jacqui and Tracey in Polwarth Room 3.044.