The University has appointed a new Interim Director of Finance.
Phil McNaull succeeds David Beattie, who has left the University to take up a role as Chief Financial Officer at Energy Transition Zone Ltd.
Phil, a strategic finance consultant and executive coach, was Finance Director at the University of Edinburgh from 2012-2018 having joined the Higher Education Sector in 2005 as Finance Director at Heriot-Watt University. Prior to this he undertook a range of finance roles at Scottish & Newcastle plc.
During his time at the University of Edinburgh Phil led a finance transformation project to improve the performance and impact of the Finance team, leading to multiple awards including as Finance Director of the Year in the 2018 British Accountancy Awards.
A former convenor of the Scottish Universities Finance Directors Group, and Chair of the British Universities Finance Directors Group, Phil is a certified coach who is currently completing a further Diploma course on Executive Coaching. He is currently a Director of Advanced Procurement Universities & Colleges Ltd, and in his role as consultant has worked for universities in the UK and overseas.
He is a chartered accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) and has an MBA from the University of Edinburgh and a BA from Strathclyde University.
Commenting on his appointment, Phil said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to provide a smooth transition between the former and the future full time Directors of Finance for the University.
“David Beattie has created a strong, capable and respected Finance team and I am looking forward to working with them while the University recruits a new Director in the coming months to support the University in the next phase of its strategic planning.
“I am especially looking forward to engaging with the University’s senior team and governors and to promote the benefits of a strong and effective finance function with a team who are fully committed to excellent customer service for staff and students.”
Tracey Slaven, University Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, added: “I am delighted that Phil has joined us here in Aberdeen. As a respected and award-winning finance director he brings a wealth of experience to the role, and I am looking forward to working him as we seek to recruit a full-time successor to David Beattie.
“On behalf of the senior management team I welcome Phil to the University, and wish David all the very best in his new role with Energy Transition Zone Ltd.”