THE University of the West of Scotland has been forced to defend its hiring procedures after the Principal's girlfriend landed a £500-a-day consultancy contract.

 

Craig Mahoney's partner, Dr Helena Lim, was given the job without it being publicly-advertised.

Mahoney, who earns up to £214,000 a year, took over as Principal and Vice Chancellor of the institution in 2013.

The Australian has lived in the UK for over 20 years and is a chemistry and maths graduate from the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education.

He joined UWS from the Higher Education Academy, a not-for-profit company where he was chief executive.

Since becoming Principal, he has unveiled bold plans to open UWS campuses in London, Dubai and Berlin, in addition to "delivery centres" in Beijing and North China.

Dr Lim started on February 24 as a consultant on the Berlin initiative on a short-term basis.

However, the fact she is the Principal's partner has raised questions about the process.

The contract, worth around £5,000 excluding VAT, was not put out to tender.

A University spokesman said the "value of the contract means it need not be publicly advertised".

As well as being partners, Dr Lim and Mahoney have long-standing professional links, as she was a "national coordinator" and then assistant director at the HEA when he was the body's chief executive.

They also co-authored a chapter in a book on democratising higher education.

The spokesman said the Principal played "no part" in the hire, adding that Vice Principal Jeanne Keay "defined the project and led the process".

According to Keay's biography, she was an Assistant Director at HEA at the same time Mahoney led the organisation.

After Mahoney became Principal in August 2013, Keay started as University VP in October of that year.

Dr Lim is described on social media site Linkedin as an "experienced senior leader and manager in higher education", who has had "demonstrable success in developing strong team cultures, achieving ambitious business targets, good people and reputation management, and strong financial management".

Mahoney attracted press coverage last month after he said charging students for higher education would bring in income for universities.

He said: "I believe this is a conversation we have to have; I believe there is an appetite to discuss this. But the concern is, if you are seen to be affronting current government policy, that may cause problems."

The SNP Government is opposed to student fees and has made free higher education a cornerstone of its time in office.

Mahoney added that introducing fees was rarely discussed as "opposing government policy isn't always welcomed".

Central Scotland MSP John Wilson said: "With the constant pressures on university funding, this contract will no doubt raise concerns amongst the public and the academic world. This situation shows once again that the scrutiny arrangements in place are not sufficient in the appointment of members of staff in the higher education sector, especially where close personal relationships are involved."

Patrick Harvie, Scottish Green MSP for Glasgow, said: "Universities, like all publicly funded bodies, should be transparent about their spending. I hope UWS thinks carefully about a more open process for awarding contracts."

Scottish Conservative young people spokeswoman Liz Smith said: "When it comes to the award of any contract based on the use of public funds, it is essential that there is complete transparency.

"It is therefore very important that UWS clarifies the situation regarding Dr Lim's employment."

A UWS spokesman said: "Dr Lim has not been appointed to a senior role at UWS. Following an appropriate procurement exercise Dr Lim secured a limited, short-life consultancy contract. This is not a staff appointment.

"The Principal played no part in specifying or awarding this consultancy. The requirements of the UWS procurement procedure were met throughout this exercise."