The head of strategy at Scotland’s higher education funding agency has been appointed as the new Secretary of the University of Aberdeen. Steve Cannon, who will take up his post in August, is currently Director of Finance, Strategy and Corporate Affairs for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC).
Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in 1957, Mr Cannon graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in Modern History and Political Science. He joined the University of Warwick in 1983 as Administrative Assistant and Admissions Officer, before taking up post as Finance and Administration Manager at the University of Warwick Science Park Ltd in 1985.
Three years later, he moved to the University of Dundee as Financial Manager at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, transferring to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 1994 as College Secretary. In 1995, he became Deputy Secretary at the University of Dundee, joining SHEFC in 1996.
As Director of Finance and Strategic Corporate Affairs at SHEFC, Mr Cannon has been responsible for the Council’s corporate planning processes for all Scottish universities, for monitoring the financial health of institutions, and for the provision of the Council’s support services including office services, financial systems, and information systems and personnel services.
He said: “During my time at the Funding Council, I have seen at first hand the importance of Scotland’s higher education system to the country’s quality of life and to local and global prosperity. I look forward to carrying this perspective forward to the benefit of the University of Aberdeen and the wider community.”
Mr Cannon and his wife Joyce live in Broughty Ferry with their three children, Robert (11), Alice (10) and 14-month-old Jack.
University Principal Professor C Duncan Rice said: “Steve Cannon brings a particularly valuable blend of expertise to the University with his experience of both a major English and Scottish University as well as of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. He will be a significant asset to us in providing the infrastructure needed to enable us to support scholars and students alike, competing with other first-rate universities.”
Professor John Sizer, Chief Executive of SHEFC, added: “The Council has benefited considerably from Steve Cannon’s secondment from the University of Dundee. It is important for the Council’s senior management team to include a high quality, senior university administrator. Steve Cannon fulfilled that role with dinstinction.”
Mr Cannon will succeed Roddy Begg, who is retiring after 10 years in the post, the culmination of 32 years service to the University. An Aberdonian, Mr Begg was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and the University of Aberdeen, graduating in Law in 1984. After two years as an apprentice administrator at the University of East Anglia, he joined the University in 1966. In addition to his role at the University, Mr Begg has been an active participant in European and international meetings and Associations, as well as editor of the journal, ‘Tertiary Education and Management’.
Although retiring from the post of Secretary, Mr Begg will take on a new role as Director of Alumni Relations in July this year. He will be responsible for developing contacts and relationships with the University’s graduates across the world and will continue to editor the University’s graduate magazine, ’Gaudeamus’.
“Roddy Begg has made a major contribution to the University during his 32 years and I am delighted he will be continuing his close association with us by taking on the role of Director of Alumni Relations. He is already very well known to our Alumni community through his involvement with Gaudeamus and will undoubtedly do much to enhance our relationship with our international network of graduates,” said Professor Rice.
Mr Begg has been a familiar face in the amateur dramatic and music scene in Aberdeen since his student days, latterly as director for the Studio Theatre Group and the Aberdeen Opera Company.