Governance

Board of Management

William W Barr

Convenor Board of Management
Member of Convenors' Committee
Convenor Property Committee
Born in Fife, Bill was educated at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar. He followed an apprenticeship as a compositor whilst studying part time at Dundee Institute of Art and Technology. Following this Bill took up an appointment as a book designer with the University Tutorial Press in Cambridge in 1963. He studied part time at Cambridge College of Art and Design gaining a Design diploma, specialising in Typography. In 1966 he was appointed lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and in the 70’s he studied for a BA with the Open University. In 1990 he became Head of Design, he was promoted soon after to Vice-Principal in 1992 and ultimately to Dean of the College following the merger with the University of Dundee in 1994. During the 80’s Bill set up the consultancy ‘Typographics’ and worked for a number of international, national and local clients. In 1997 he was appointed to the post of Deputy Principal of the University of Dundee with responsibility for Campus Development, Estates and Services, a position he held until retirement in 2003.
Bill is a chartered designer and a member of the International Society of Typographic Designers. He has also held overseas positions as an external advisor and assessor in design subjects in Milan and Greece. He was Vice Convenor of the Board of Scottish Enterprise Tayside, a member of the Scottish Arts Council, Lottery Committee, currently Bill is Deputy Chairman of the Scout Association in Dundee and a Governor of the High School of Dundee.
Bill joined the College Board of Management in 2003.

Wendy Chalmers (Non Teaching Staff Member)

Wendy was born and educated in Dundee and moved away at 19 years of age, to Galashiels. Wendy initially trained in textiles and worked in industry. She graduated in 1980 with an Associateship in Textile Technology, (Textile Institute, Manchester).
In 1995, Wendy commenced work at Dundee College as a science technician. She greatly increased her knowledge of biological sciences through her work, part time study and CPD. The science department teaches biology, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry and chemistry and runs community short courses. They cater for school level science up to HNC and HND Applied Sciences. She works closely with lecturers and liaises with many people within the College and outwith; technical support, servicing and sales to fulfil her technician role.
She listens to her support staff and lecturer colleagues and tries to pass on their concerns to the relevant people in the College to address these issues.
Wendy is a member of the College Health and Safety Committee and can contribute through experience on science and safety issues.
Wendy joined the College Board of Management in 2007.

Mary Crighton

Convenor Quality Enhancement Committee and Member of Convenors' Committee
Mary was born in Dundee and educated at Lawside Academy and graduated in Law from Dundee University in 1972. After completing her Apprenticeship and Post Qualifying Assistantship with a local firm she joined her present firm, Calders, Solicitors in 1975 becoming a Partner of that firm in 1977.
She has been involved as a Council Member of both the Scottish Law Agents Society and the Faculty of Procurators and Solicitors in Dundee and was an external examiner in Professional Ethics for the Faculty of Law and Accountancy, University of Dundee Diploma in Legal Practice.
She was a Council Member and Vice-President of the former Dundee & Tayside Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
She has been involved in various Charitable Organisations having been a Council Member for Dundee Voluntary Action and subsequently a Director of DVA Limited and from 1998 until 2004 was involved with Headway Tayside, initially as Treasurer then as Vice-Chairman and Chairman.
Mary became a Board Member of Dundee College in 2002 and is also a Trustee of Dundee College Charitable Trust.

Ralph Harrison

Member of Human Resource and Development Committee
Ralph was educated at the High School of Dundee thereafter Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art studying Architecture. Following this he commenced employment with the Civil Service working for a number of departments in Tayside and Grampian, mainly concerned with managing government training programmes. Ralph took up a post with Scottish Enterprise Tayside in 1991 and is currently Organisational Development Manager. His work is mainly with businesses to improve their performance through people, notably leadership and management development as well as ensuring all employees have the requisite skills and experience in order to meet the objectives of the company.
Prior to current emphasis on businesses the role involved education in schools, colleges and universities particularly involved with the re-introduction of vocational training in schools complimentary to academic study.
For 3 years Ralph was Chairman to the Tayside Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Partnership as well as the Co-ordinator for Scotland of the Jaguar F1 in Schools Challenge and he retains a strong interest in the promotion of science and technology particularly to young people.
Ralph resides in Newport and is married with three grown up children and three grandchildren. His eldest daughter with family lives nearby, his son lives and works in Edinburgh, and his youngest daughter lives and works in London.
He enjoys travelling, cars and many other outdoor activities particularly mountain biking.
His job has and to some extent still does involve him with a number of initiatives in the college and therefore gives him an insight into the workings of the institution that he can draw upon as a board member. In addition as he works for an economic development agency he can bring a wide breadth of experience to the board particularly in the area of people development.
Ralph joined the College Board of Management in 2007.

Councillor Stewart Hunter

Member of Human Resource and Development Committee
Stewart was born in Dundee and educated at Menzieshill High School. He graduated in European Social Policy and Politics from the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside (now the University of Lincoln) which included six months studying at the HEBO Institute in Den Hagg, The Netherlands.
After graduating he worked for NCR for ten years before being elected to Dundee City Council in 2007.
In 2009 he became the Deputy Convenor of Education. He is also a Director of the Ardler Village Trust, Dovetail and Dundee Leisure Trust as well as a Trustee on the Education Trust and Morgan Trust.
Stewart is the constituency assistant for Joe Fitzpatrick MSP and is married with two young children.

Joe Lafferty

Convenor Human Resource and Development Committee
Member of Convenors' and Finance Committee
Joe is the founder and Chief Executive of LifeTree, an Organisation Development Consultancy based in Scotland, founded in 2002. Joe’s strength lies in developing tailored interventions that build capacity for the clients he works with. His current work with clients is in the areas of Executive Coaching, ‘Top Team’ development, Leadership development, and developing partnerships in cross organisational systems.
As well as leading LifeTree, Joe has served on the Board of Management of Dundee College since March 2000, and is the Convenor of the Human Resource and Development Committee. He is a past President for the Dundee and Tayside Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Board of ECLO, the European Consortium for Learning Organisations. He is also on the Board of a number of charities in Scotland.
Joe’s first contact with Further Education came from Inverness College, where he did an HNC in Electrical Engineering while working as an apprentice engineer in Scottish Hydro Electric. Prior to moving into consultancy, Joe did an MBA with Warwick University, and was the Power Systems Manager for Scottish Hydro Electric in Dundee and Angus.
“I’m passionate about the vital role FE plays in enabling people to develop themselves to make a contribution to their communities, as well as lead more fulfilling lives. I’m delighted to serve on the Board of this important institution for the City of Dundee”.

Gary Langlands

Member of Finance and Property Committees
Gary was born and educated in Dundee before commencing his career in DC Thomson in the digital media area. Recognising a calling to go into business he followed in his late father’s footsteps and took up a career in sales and marketing, working for some of the largest corporations in the world such as Royal Dutch Shell, Johnson & Johnson and French dairy giant Bongrain SA. Gary moved to England to take up these posts, returning to Dundee in 1999 to join NCR as Global Senior Marketing Manager for Services.
In February 2004 Gary started his own company, Vision Sound and Light providing audiovisual expertise to universities, college’s and business. Gary was the first President of the Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, founding the organisation after the demise of the previous Chamber in Dundee. He remains a Director of the Chamber and lives in Dundee with Roz his wife of over 30 years.
During his career, as well as sales for which he was selected as Salesman of the Year twice in a row at American Pharmaceutical Company Johnson & Johnson, Gary has held responsibilities for manufacturing and has been trained in LEAN, Six Sigma, TQM, SMED, Kaizen and Design for Excellence procedures. Marketing responsibilities held at other times in Gary’s career have exposed his to stringent business disciplines and also training at Ashridge Management College and many other business training centres.
Currently past President of the Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, Gary is passionate about Dundee and the surrounding areas as a place to live, work and participate in Further Education. Gary said “Dundee has one of the best locations in the UK, is one of the sunniest places in Scotland and is Scotland’s only south facing city. Thanks mainly to the Universities and College’s, Dundee is a very cosmopolitan city with new industries fighting to take over from the traditional industries. The role which Dundee College plays is critical for students and industry alike as business needs are responded to with the curriculum being offered. I have witnessed a number of fantastic achievements by students at Dundee College over the years and I am delighted to have an opportunity to make a contribution to the future of the College by being part of the Board of Management.”

Alex Murdoch

Member of Audit and Human Resource and Development Committees
Alex was born in Perth and educated at Perth Academy. After a year at Dundee Technical College he worked in the Headquarters of the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation in Perth. Appointed Area Secretary of the Scottish Grocers’ Association in 1964 he qualified as a Chartered Secretary, subsequently becoming a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators.
In 1975 Alex joined C J Lang & Son Ltd as Finance Director and was appointed Chief Executive in 1985. During his time with C J Lang he was a Director of Spar Food Distributors Ltd and Chairman of Landmark Cash and Carry Group.
Since retiring in 2000 he has been Chairman of Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, Lord Dean of the City of Dundee Guildry Incorporation, a lay member of HMIe and a member of the Scottish Committee of Postwatch Scotland.
Alex is married with two sons and four grandchildren, he is a member of Blairgowrie Golf Club and Panmure Golf Club.

Christina Potter

Principal & Chief Executive (ex Officio Member of All Board Committees)
In August 2007, after 10 years as Principal of Elmwood College in Fife, Christina Potter was appointed Principal at Dundee College. Christina has spent over 23 years in the College sector, working both in England and Scotland. Starting as a Lecturer in Computing and moving on to a variety of management posts, Christina has worked in a wide range of college settings, including large inner city institutions and small, rural colleges.
Prior to moving into Further Education, Christina had a successful career in the computing industry, spent mainly with ICL but including posts at RBS and Scottish & Newcastle Breweries. She holds professional computing qualifications and is a full member of the British Computing Society. In 1996, she completed an MBA (with Distinction) at Warwick University.
Christina has served on a number of Scottish Funding Council Committees including the Collaboration and Mergers Advisory Committee and the Further Education Student Support Advisory Group.
Currently she is a member of the Court of St Andrews University, Director of Scotland’s Colleges International and Chair of the Board of the Scottish Further Education Unit.
Christina’s leisure interests include Theatre, Music and Art as well as reading and coastal walks.

Doug Reilly (Teaching Staff Member)

Member of Human Resource and Development, Property and Quality Enhancement Committees
Born in Dundee in 1958 and educated at the former St Michael’s Secondary School, which is currently Dundee College, Graham Street Campus.
Association with Dundee College (Kingsway Technical College as it was then known) commenced October 1974 through enrolment on the School Link Pre-Apprenticeship Programme in Construction Crafts.
Attended Dundee College via: block release, day release and night classes between 1974 and 1981 gaining: City and Guilds Craft and Advanced Craft Certificates in Carpentry and Joinery, Membership Qualification of the Institute of Carpenters, National Certificate in Building and a number of Highers.
Gained experience in the local construction industry for a number of years including three years with Dundee University Estates Department.
Gained a part-time lecturing post in carpentry and joinery at Perth College in 1986 and continued to work in industry until March 1987 at which point was appointed to a full time lecturing post in carpentry and joinery at the former Kirkcaldy College of Technology, now Adam Smith College. While working there gained the Higher National Certificate in Construction.
Appointed as lecturer in carpentry and joinery at Dundee College in October 1989 until present.
Branch Secretary, Education Institute of Scotland, Further Education Lecturer’s Association, Dundee College Branch from January 2003 until present date.
Doug joined the College Board of Management in 2008.

George Robertson

Member of the Finance and Property Committee
Retired (previously Finance Director, Albacom Ltd)

Kish Srinivasan

Vice Convenor Board of Management
Convenor Audit Committee and Member of Convenors' and Quality Enhancement Committee
Born in India, Kish was educated at St Xavier’s School in Calcutta. In addition to obtaining an honours degree in Economics, he is also a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (admitted 1970).
Prior to 1983, Kish combined a career in academia with operating a part-time auditing and tax practice. He was a lecturer (and latterly) senior lecturer in Accounting at Napier Institute of Commerce and Technology. From 1983 to 1990, he was Head of Department of Accountancy and Economics at Dundee Institute of Technology, where we was also Dean of the Management Faculty (1985-1987 and 1989-1990). Kish led and participated in many of the development of degree courses in accountancy, economics and other management-related areas which contributed in due course to the granting of university status for both Napier and Abertay Universities. He has also been Chief Examiner and served on various committees with SQA and its various predecessors over many years.
Kish joined HMI in 1990, where he was involved initially in HE sector liaison (particularly with Robert Gordon University). His varied subsequent roles included a spell of responsibility within HMIe for the Wider Access Programme in the West of Scotland, Lead Inspector for liaison with the Scottish Further and Higher Education Council, and finally Assistant Chief Inspector – FE till his retirement from full-time employment in May 2006.
Kish is currently the captain of Scotscraig Golf Club and a Past President of the Rotary Club of North Fife.
Kish joined the College Board of Management in 2007.

Professor Mike Swanston

Member of Audit and Quality Enhancement Committees
Mike is Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Abertay Dundee and Honorary Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Dundee University. He was Vice-Principal of Abertay University from 2002 until his retirement in 2008. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Dundee Science Centre.
He has been Vice-Chair of the Board of Management of Elmwood College (2000-07), a Director of Dundee Ice Arena (1999-2002), a member of the City of Discovery Campaign Committee (2003-05) and a member of Universities Scotland Learning & Teaching and Research & Commercialisation Committees (1999-2008).
His current research interests are in the visual perception of space and motion. He has published over 50 research papers and co-authored a textbook on vision.

Jacqui Wood

Member of Finance and Quality Enhancement Committees
Jacqui was born in Bradford, Yorkshire in 1945. With her parents, she moved to Somerset and then to Lincolnshire, where she was educated at Scunthorpe Grammar School. She married Aubrey in 1966 and they have two daughters, Sarah and Rachel. As well as being a member of the local Cancer Research Committee and school governor, she was appointed a Magistrate in 1983, serving on the Scunthorpe Bench. They moved to Dundee in 1985.
Jacqui was appointed a Justice of the Peace in Scotland in 1986, sitting on the Dundee Bench, before moving to the Angus Bench in 1996. She retired from this position in 2009.
She became Chairman of the Ninewells Cancer Campaign when it was founded in 1991. It was formed with the aim of establishing and maintaining Dundee as a world leading Centre of Excellence in Cancer Research and in the development of new and better treatments for patients with cancer. Since that time, £17 million has been raised to fund many projects, including the Biomedical Research Centre, the Princess Alexandra Cancer Treatment Centre at Ninewells Hospital, the Department of Surgery and Molecular Oncology, Photon Radio Surgery Systems, and others. A unique feature of this charity is that no person receives a salary or expenses and every single penny goes directly to help fund the world leading research into cancer that is being undertaken at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School.
She was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Dundee Teaching Hospital NHS Trust from 1993 to 1999. In 1996 she established the ‘Keyhole Kate’ charity shop in the concourse of Ninewells Hospital. The aim of the shop is to raise funds for patient and visitor comforts and she continues to be its chairman.
Other committees she sits on include CLIC Sargent Cancer Fund for Children and she has been a Committee member of CRC (now CRUK) – Dundee and District Committee, since 1986, including President of the Committee in 1990, 1991, 2005 and 2006.
Presently a Trustee of the Leng Charitable Trust
Joined Dundee College Board of Management in 2002 and is also a Trustee of Dundee College Charitable Trust
Awarded the MBE in 1998
Awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Dundee in 1999
Made a Founder Member of ‘Cancer Research UK’ (formerly CRC and ICRF charities) in 2002
Appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Dundee in January 2005
Awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science from the University of Abertay in 2005
Awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from St Andrews University in June 2009.