Dear colleague,
I am delighted to let know that our next Principal will be the highly regarded academic leader Professor Peter Edwards who has been spearheading our innovation and entrepreneurial ambitions and driving forward our civic university agenda.
His appointment follows a competitive internal process, and I would like to thank all candidates for their ambition and commitment to the University in expressing an interest in the post.
Professor Edwards will take over on 1 November from Professor George Boyne who has led the University since 2018. Professor Boyne will retire as Principal and Vice-Chancellor on 31 October, to enable Professor Edwards to take up the role as soon as possible. This is especially important at a time when we are looking at new structures and ways of working to achieve our ambitions while securing long term financial sustainability.
I would like to congratulate Professor Edwards on his appointment and extend my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Boyne for all he has done for our University.
Professor Boyne initiated the Aberdeen 2040 strategy, launched in 2020 to mark the University’s 525th anniversary. This long-term vision won the University Strategy of the Year award from HESPA - the Higher Education Strategic Planners Association in 2021.
During his tenure, Professor Boyne steered the University through major global changes from Brexit to the Covid pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and a challenging funding landscape across higher education.
Professor Boyne has also championed widening access and local causes and has asked that his salary for the final two months of his contract be donated to the University Development Trust’s Widening Access Fund, the Denis Law Legacy Trust, CFINE, Befriend a Child and Abernecessities.
Professor Boyne will send his own message to you shortly. Meantime I am sure you join me in wishing him well for the future and extending your support to Professor Edwards as he leads the University into its next chapter of growth and excellence.
Best wishes
Julie
Julie AshworthSenior Governor