College chief claimed £27k in expenses
THE UK’S best-paid university chief claimed almost £27,000 in expenses in 12 months, including £7,500 on stays in luxury hotels across the globe.
Imperial College London president Alice Gast receives a total remuneration of £554,100 and also makes £287,000 a year on the board of oil and gas giant Chevron.
Documents obtained by the Sunday Express reveal how the Houston-born professor, 61, also claims thousands in expenses. Receipts show she has enjoyed stays at a series of prestigious hotels while on college business.
Five nights last January at the Sunstar Hotel Davos in Switzerland, which boasts a luxury spa featuring massage showers, cost £2,396.57.
Shortly before Christmas 2018 she enjoyed two nights at the Address hotel in Dubai Mall, at a cost of £727.95.
Receipts show her overseas accommodation tab for
August 2018 to July
2019 was £7,491.83.
Flights during the period cost more than £15,000 and other expenses included business lunches, taxis and rail travel.
The documents were released after our Freedom of Information request. Jo Grady, University and College Union general secretary, said: “The inflation-busting pay rises and extravagant expenses spending of vicechancellors sends a damaging message that it’s one rule for staff and another for those at the top of our universities.” A spokesman for Imperial College London said: “International travel is an essential part of the president’s role, which includes fundraising and forging new academic and corporate partnerships.
“All costs were incurred as a result of her work for Imperial, and were reviewed by Imperial’s Audit and Risk Committee and Chief Financial Officer.”