Dr Andrew Craig, MA 1971 (Modern History)

Proposer: Mr Robert Fortes, MA 1971
Seconder: Mr Colin Adamson, MA 1967

Summary of career history

It's been eclectic. Starting out as a PhD historian thanks to Andrew Carnegie's generosity, I got hooked on health in the late 70s and left academia to retrain in adult education and health promotion. This led to more than 40 years working with the NHS, Royal College of Nursing, Third Sector organisations, Sport England, local government, commercial companies and running my own consulting practice for 15 years.

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

  • 25 years public service on NHS Boards and executives
  • Skills in communications especially social media, public relations and marketing; lobbying; handling complaints and challenges
  • Commercial experience encompassing government liaison; tendering, procurement and contract monitoring; intellectual property; product approvals; corporate partnerships; franchising; corporate governance and regulatory compliance issues

Connections with the University/alumni since graduating

  • Active in Chancellor's Circle with my civil partner Mark Bunyan (MA Hons 1971) since 2011 and ongoing relationship with University's Development Department
  • Endowing MLitt postgraduate scholarships in early modern history, the first in 2017
  • Supporting the Music Centre
  • Helping sponsor Byre Theatre's/Mermaids forthcoming production "Oh, What a Lovely War"
  • Donating seats to the new theatre space in the redeveloped Students' Association
  • Donations to MUSA's student life collection
  • Made submission to Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill consultation defending the key governance role of an elected Rector

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

Scottish higher education and the success of our University depend on improving engagement. I want to enable diverse graduates to take more active roles in their organisation to improve responsiveness and decision making. I support the "Widening Access" in Scottish Higher Education initiative as a big part of this.