Six New College Board Members Announced

Dumfries and Galloway College has appointed six new members to its board of management.

The new group is ready to bring many years of experience, as well as a diverse and expansive set of skills and know-how, to the college’s already sector-leading leadership team.

Senior Bank of England official, Will Dowson, who’s the bank’s Agent for Scotland, joins the board and brings with him a wide range of policy-making and leadership experience, in addition to his knowledge of the public and third sectors and understanding of how technology may help address environmental issues.

He is joined by Richard Nash, director of Natural Power, who has been instrumental in the firm’s innovations in renewable energy, making him a perfect fit for the college which prizes its record and ambition on environmental issues.

Sue Irving, Director of Housing Services at Loreburn Housing Association, which owns and supports 2,500 properties in Dumfries and Galloway, also joins the team. Sue will be bringing her experience of leading organisational change, strategic leadership, and driving performance improvement to the board.

Another addition to the board is Professor Malcolm MacLeod, Senior Deputy Principal and Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Stirling, whose specialities include improving the student experience and amplifying the voices of students. 

They are also joined by Gillian Brydson, Director of Skills, Education, and Learning for the Dumfries and Galloway Council, whose 25 years of experience of education leadership and passion for lifelong and professional learning will add a valuable dimension to the board’s approach.

Managing Director of ECO Group, Eddie Black, completes the additions to the team. Through hard work, dedication, and vision, Eddie has gone from running a single business in 2010 to employing 55 people in several businesses across a wide range of sectors and will bring this talent for variety and innovation with him to the college board.

Dumfries and Galloway College’s board of management has a proud and substantial record of leading on and delivering change, both for the college and the wider region in the South of Scotland, and the college is delighted to welcome its new additions to the team.

College Chair Hugh Carr said:

“I am thrilled to welcome our six new members to the college board.

“Each one of them brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and knowledge that will help us continue to deliver the first-class educational and vocational opportunities that we are so proud to offer.

Principal Joanna Campbell said:

“Recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic will require innovation, determination, and creative thinking, which is why these new additions to our board, and the vast wealth of skills and vision that they bring, are so important for us.

“As we move forward, being guided by a board that also has the ability to address the environmental issues that we face, as well as the drive to develop new curriculum and learning routes, will help us continue to deliver for our students in these difficult times.”

“I look forward to welcoming them to our campus in the future and I can assure them of a warm South of Scotland welcome from our college community.”