£237,000 payoff for ‘conf lict of interest’ uni chief
A UNIVERSITY boss who resigned after an internal investigation into his business interests was paid a £237,000 golden goodbye, it emerged yesterday.
Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski quit as head of Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University (RGU) after accepting a conflict of interest arose when he hired the co-owner of his £12million castle in a deputy administrative position.
A whistleblower came forward after Professor von Prondzynski failed to declare that he and Gordon McConnell, newly appointed vice-principal for commercial and
‘Central allegation was true’
regional innovation, were co-directors of Knockdrin Estates Ltd.
The company holds the deeds to 12-bedroom Knockdrin Castle, which is on a 1,100-acre estate in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is currently on sale at Sotheby’s for just over £12.1million.
Professor von Prondzynski stepped down in August after an investigation found that he had failed to declare business links with Mr McConnell.
Financial documents show a ‘termination payment’ of £237,716 was made on his departure.
A report from RGU and the Scottish Funding Council has now been finalised and various recommendations made in the wake of the incident – despite ruling generally in the university’s favour.
The report said: ‘We have seen and heard statements from those on the panel that, had they known about the business relationship with the principal (they already knew about a professional relationship), their decision would not have been different, and that Professor McConnell was appointed on merit.
‘In conclusion, we are satisfied that the university’s policy is consistent with good practice and that this particular appointment was compliant with the university’s policy.’
It continues: ‘The investigation panel found that the central allegation that there had been a failure to disclose the co-directorship at the time of the recruitment process was true.
‘However, it was also satisfied that there was no evidence that Gordon McConnell had been appointed on anything other than his suitability for the role.
‘Criticism of the panel focused on their finding that the failure to disclose the co-directorship was a genuine oversight on the part of both the principal and vice-principal.’
The report details how the business association between the two men was highlighted in an anonymous package sent to the governing board. As for the payoff figure, the investigation found that it was ‘made in compliance with the university’s severance policy’.
The report makes a number of recommendations, including that universities should proactively publish information about principal-level settlement agreements through the introduction of a sector-wide template.
Another recommendation was for RGU to consider reviewing its internal guidance about the approach to be taken in the event of anonymous allegations relating to senior personnel.
Mr McConnell remains in his position as vice-principal.