The chair of Dundee University’s governing court has resigned after months of criticism.
Interim principal Shane O’Neill confirmed Amanda Millar’s immediate exit in an email to staff on Tuesday.
In her resignation letter, it is understood Ms Millar described herself as a “barrier” to any recovery.
Her exit comes days before a crunch meeting of the body to debate the proposed recovery.
Elected in 2022, Ms Millar chaired the body which oversees the work of the university and scrutinises the executive team. The court is also responsible for the appointment of the principal.
The role is unpaid but appointees are entitled to claim a daily rate of between £350 and £500.
Professor O’Neill said in his email to staff: “Amanda informed us of her decision last night. I thank Amanda for all of her work as Chair of Court.
“Tricia Bey, as deputy chair of court, will chair next week’s court meeting.
“The Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council have been informed this morning.”
It comes just days after The Courier requested an interview with Ms Millar.
Scrutiny
The solicitor has faced scrutiny for her role in the £30 million financial crisis which is expected to result in huge job losses.
Staff questioned how the university court only became aware of the level of the deficit in November.
The issue was not discussed at its September meeting.
North East MSP Michael Marra says there has been a “grotesque failure of governance”.
He told The Courier her resignation was the “right decision” but should have come sooner.
He said: “The chair of court’s position has been completely untenable given the disastrous failure of governance that has brought our city’s most important institution to a point of such crisis.
“The court now needs an injection of new members with fresh eyes on the huge challenges and, critically, the experience and knowledge commensurate to the task of being the board of such a complex organisation.”
Ms Millar’s exit is the latest in a series of resignations among the senior staff at the institution.
Analysis: Why this resignation matters
For months concerns have been shared privately by sources inside and outside the university that Amanda Millar was unsuited to the role she found herself in.
While she had an impressive background as a solicitor, critics said her time at the university had been dominated by an “over focus” on equalities issues rather than the good financial management of the institution – which has a turnover of over £200 million.
Part of the reason for this focus was an irritation on her part that it was not something prioritised by former principal Iain Gillespie.
In her resignation letter, it’s understood Ms Millar concluded she had become a “barrier” to the university’s recovery bid.
But it is a conclusion she may not have arrived at herself, with pressure brought to bear in recent days by senior figures.
Chief among them were interim principal Shane O’Neill and the university’s chancellor, Lord George Robertson.
“It was made clear her position wasn’t tenable,” one source added.
Conversation