Senior Management

Professor Peter Edwards became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen on 1 November 2025.

He joined the University of Aberdeen as a postdoctoral fellow in Computing Science in October 1988, before moving into his first academic position as a Lecturer in 1991.

His academic research focuses on the design of intelligent information infrastructures that promote transparency and accountability in computational systems, on which he has published widely. Much of this work has been interdisciplinary in nature, involving collaborations across fields including medicine, law, geography, transport studies, food science, and design. He has served as Principal Investigator on major UK Research Council awards valued at over £20m, including the eSocial Science Research Node PolicyGrid (ESRC, 2006–2012) and the UK Digital Economy Research Hub dot.rural (EPSRC, 2009–2015).

In his nearly four decades at the University he has also held a range of senior leadership roles, including Head of Computing Science, Head of the College of Physical Sciences Graduate School, Director of the Northern Research Partnership Graduate School (a collaboration among the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, and Robert Gordon), Head of the School of Natural and Computing Sciences, Vice-Principal for Regional Engagement, and Acting Senior Vice-Principal.

Professor Edwards is Chair of the University Senate, a member of the University Court and a member of the Board of the University’s Development Trust. His external roles include membership of the Board of Opportunity North East, the Aberdeen City Deal Joint Committee, and the North East Scotland Investment Zone Steering Group.

He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, the Institution of Engineering & Technology and the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Professor Nick Forsyth became Provost – the chief academic officer – of the University of Aberdeen on 1 March 2026.

Nick joined the University of Aberdeen in 2023 as Vice Principal (Research). His remit in this role was the development and implementation of coherent research strategies at School and University levels, overseeing Interdisciplinary research across the five grand challenge areas, and development and implementation of strategic approaches to enhance organisational performance at REF2028.

From November 2025 to March 2026, Nick was Acting Senior Vice-Principal of the University.

Professor Jo-Anne Murray joined the University of Aberdeen as Vice-Principal Education in February 2024. Jo-Anne is responsible for all aspects of education and the student experience. Prior to joining Aberdeen, Jo-Anne was Pro-Vice Chancellor, Digital Transformation at the University of Leeds where she was responsible for leading the overall digital transformation strategy.

Prior to joining Leeds, Jo-Anne was a Managing Director at Higher Ed Partners (HEP) where she worked with senior executive-level colleagues within Universities across the UK to define and deliver strategic vision for digital transformation in education.

Qualifications

• PhD Sociology

  2013 – University of Aberdeen

• MRes Social Research

  2007 – University of Aberdeen

• CertHE Gender Studies and Philosophy

  2006 – University of Aberdeen

• LLB (Hons) Law with Options in French Language and Forensic Medicine

  2005 – University of Aberdeen

• FRSA Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

  2018 – Royal Society of Arts

• FHEA Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

  2011 – Advance HE/HEA

Directorate of Planning and Governance

Fraser was appointed to the Chief Operating Officer role in April 2025.  Fraser leads our team of Professional Services who work with colleagues across the University to deliver our strategic aspirations.

Having initially trained as a solicitor in the private sector, Fraser has experience of working in the health and local government sectors including as Head of Legal Services, Chief Governance Officer, and Chief Operating Officer.

Mark became the University Chief Financial Officer on the 16th May 2022. As a member of the University’s Senior Management Team and directly accountable to the Principal, the CFO is responsible for the financial stewardship of the University, the development of its financial strategy and the provision of financial advice related to the strategic development of the University. With a team of 58 staff, the CFO is also responsible for the strategic oversight of all income and expenditure of the University, and for ensuring that the systems of accounting and internal control are effective and in accordance with laid down standards, insurance and investments and Procurement services.

Nick currently undertakes the roles of interim Director of People and Director of Academic Services & Online Education leading our strategy and teams that deliver our staff and student experience and support, and our educational quality and policy. 

Nick is an alumnus of the University‘s School of Law and qualified as a Solicitor in 2011, working in corporate Pensions and Employment law.

He re-joined the University as a staff member in 2013, leading on the development of the institution’s immigration compliance processes across the student population.

In 2018, Nick moved to head our Student Support Services and, in Autumn 2019, was appointed as Deputy Director of People. 

Externally, Nick is a member of the Law Society of Scotland and he represents UHR in Scotland on the Scottish Government Core Leadership Group on Equally Safe in Colleges & Universities. 

Nick is a chartered member of CIPD.