UHI Perth principal steps down from role

Controversial UHI Perth boss Dr Margaret Cook resigned from the post this week as the institution faces continued financial challenges.

- ALASTAIR MCNEILL

City MSP Pete Wishart said she had lost the confidence of the entire UHI Perth community and her departure was the only way to avert further reputational damage for the institution.

Her resignation follows Perth’s Air Service Training (AST) - established in 1931 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of UHI Perth - going into administration last month.

Dr Cook, UHI Perth principal and chief executive, had also caused uproar last year over planned job losses and the closure of the UHI nursery.

At the time Mr Wishart said it had been “utterly incomprehensible” senior UHI Perth management had pursued radical cuts less than a year after disruption caused by the introduction of similar proposals which had to be backtracked on.

The UHI board accepted Dr Cook's resignation this week with immediate effect.