Mr Kenneth Cochran, BSc 1979 (Computational Science)

Proposer: Dr Sarah Mills (née Gates), BSc 2007
Seconder: Ms Rebecca Keating, MA 2013

Summary of career history

  • Senior Member of Technical Staff, AT&T/Bell Laboratories, USA
  • Former Director NHS Fife
  • Former trustee of £11million endowment fund and currently of various other charities
  • Current Chairman of Pilgrim Care Ltd (providing nursing care and advocacy on behalf of elderly)
  • University Lecturer in Web Design and Multimedia
  • Self-employed, web design and digital video production

Expertise that is especially relevant to the position of General Council Assessor on the University Court

  • Current member of University Court, speaking especially on behalf of graduates and serving on assurance groups of the University directly related to preserving our top rankings as a university
  • Member, University Learning and Teaching Assurance Group and Ethics and Research Integrity Assurance Group
  • Extensive experience of corporate governance
  • Participant in Scottish Government consultation on Higher Education Governance
  • Community Councillor

Connections with the University/alumni since graduating

  • Current General Council Assessor on Court
  • Active member General Council Business Committee
  • Local resident, interacting with numerous staff and students on a daily basis
  • Active promoter of General Council involvement to students as they graduate
  • Member, After Many Days alumni club
  • Co-author ‘General Council Assessor e-Bulletin’ newsletter to graduates
  • Supported both my children in obtaining good degrees at St Andrews

Reason(s) for wishing to become a General Council Assessor

  • Continue working to preserve the right of St Andrews graduates to elect members of Court; St Andrews is the only ancient Scottish university to retain this relationship. Graduates are the largest stakeholder group, bringing international experience to, affection for, and the least selfish interest in, the University and its governance
  • Continue working with University to ensure quality of education and research to maintain our top rankings
  • Expand accessibility of quality St Andrews education to future generations