Boss’s wife took up specially created new job

The wife of suspended Dundee University principal Andrew Atherton was employed in a specially created role based on campus just months after his appointment.

Helen Atherton works as a regional development manager for Entrepreneurial Scotland.

Dundee University signed a “pioneering alliance” with Entrepreneurial Scotland in February, the month after Professor Atherton took up the reins at the university.

This involved creating a new fulltime role, based within, although not employed by, the university.

It is understood Mrs Atherton took up the role in July and she is the organisation’s only employee in Dundee.

The organisation, funded through subscriptions and donations, was asked to comment but did not respond yesterday.

Professor Atherton described the partnership between Dundee University and Entrepreneurial Scotland as “ambitious and innovative” when it was announced in February.

He said at the time: “Having a full-time member of Entrepreneurial Scotland staff located on campus will bring our organisations closer together, allowing new businesses emerging from both the university and wider Tay Cities region to benefit from leading sector knowledge and expertise.”

Entrepreneurial Scotland describes itself as a “leadership development organisation providing opportunities for like-minded ambitious individuals to share experiences and develop their leadership skills”.

Dundee University and Entrepreneurial Scotland already had strong ties before the Athertons arrived in Dundee.

4J Studios founder and Dundee University alumnus Chris van der Kuyl was the founding chairman of the organisation and former rector Mark Beaumont also acted as an ambassador for it.

Mrs Atherton previously held a number of roles within the business school and Lancaster University, where Professor Atherton was vice-principal before arriving in Dundee.

Professor Atherton was named as the successor of Professor Sir Pete Downes last year.

He took up his role in January.