Mr David Glasspool, BSc 1984 (Biochemistry with Microbiology)

Proposer: Sir Roger Gifford, Hon LLD 2013
Seconder: Mrs Louise Sinclair (née Caygill), MA 1984

Summary of career history

  • Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) Chartered Accountant, qualified 1989 - (1984 - 1989)
  • Enskilda Securities/SEB: Major Swedish Bank (1989 - 2012) -
    • Corporate Finance Department
    • Head of Equity Capital Markets (2002 - 2012)
    • Member of Corporate Finance Management Committee
  • Councillor Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames, Unitary Authority - (2006 - 2010)
  • Cabinet member: 2014 - 2018
    • arts, culture, sports and parks (2014)
    • finance and treasury (including annual budget/medium-term financial plan (2015 - 2018)
  • Governor of Kingston College (Further Education College), Chair of Audit Committee (2012 - 2017)
  • Senior Advisor at KREAB (International Public Affairs and Financial Communications) (2014 - )

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

  • Financial training and experience gained as a Chartered Accountant and from many years working in financial services
  • Governance experience including overseeing major programmes of change, procurement processes and budgetary control in the publicly accountable setting of local government.
  • Overcoming challenges of funding and performance in the further education sector
  • Communication skills gained from advisory assignments on projects with multiple stakeholders

Connections with the University/alumni since graduating

  • Member of the London Alumni Society
  • Regular attendance at Society events and fundraisers
  • Married for 30 years (three children) to St Andrews Modern Languages graduate Jules (née MacMahon, 1984)

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

The University of St Andrews is a special place which was the springboard for my life, in both a personal and professional sense. I now want to contribute and make a commitment to the future of the University, giving back to others the benefits I received. I aim to uphold and broaden its excellence in academic performance, diversity and the student experience by drawing upon my international connections and financial, educational and governance expertise.