Sir Martin Davidson

Biography

At present I am Chair of the Great Britain China Centre (GBCC), an arm’s length organisation linked to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). GBCC is dedicated to advancing the UK’s interests in its links with China by building expertise in the UK on China and managing political exchanges with China and projects linked to the rule of law.

I am also Vice-Chair of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the leading sight loss charity in the UK, dedicated to the creation of a world where there are no barriers for people with sight loss. I also provide board level advice to a small number of organisations with an interest in China and international education.

On leaving St Andrews I worked for the Hong Kong government for four years before joining the British Council and being posted to Beijing. I have worked in and on China for 20 years, initially as Assistant Director and latterly as Country Director in China, and also up the South China office in Guangzhou in 1989. At the British Council I was a board member for seven years with responsibility for its overseas operations and then CEO for a further seven years from 2007 to 2014.

After leaving the British Council I focused on my keen interest in the issues of China, disability, and international development. I was Vice-Chair of Leonard Cheshire Disability with responsibility for governance and for its international work. I have also been a trustee of United Purpose, a small global development charity, as well as International Inspiration, a legacy of the 2012 Olympics dedicated to sport and development. I was a non-executive director of House of Fraser and have advised other commercial boards.

In my spare time I am a keen glider pilot (having first learnt to fly at Leuchars with the University Air Squadron) and chair my local club. I have a keen interest in the arts and opera and am an enthusiastic hill walker.

Election statement

I am delighted and honoured to run for election as Senior Lay Member of the Court. As a graduate of the University, St Andrews has always played a crucial part in my life. The friends and connections I made here have lasted throughout my life and I have always found that St Andrews creates firm links with others through our shared experience of studying here.

We are all entering a period of increased uncertainty in our lives and higher education is no exception to this. The external world of increasing economic and financial hardship as well as the rising geopolitical tensions place great emphasis on outstanding governance of the University and a compelling vision of what St Andrews can be in the future. I believe in a St Andrews which delivers world class, sustainable research and education, which is genuinely diverse, inclusive and egalitarian, and which embraces new opportunities with enthusiasm and entrepreneurialism to deliver an outstanding St Andrews experience for everyone in the University.

I believe the role of Court and the Senior Lay Member is to hold in trust the future of our 600-year-old University for present and future generations. The Court must support, encourage and challenge the Principal and her senior team to deliver the promises made in the University’s Strategy and make sure that the resources - money, people and energy - are available to ensure the long-term future of the University.

I believe that my lifelong career working internationally to create lasting cultural, educational and scientific links; my deep personal commitment to cultural respect and equality of opportunity for all; and my experience of working across cultures and in public organisations, charities and business provide me with the background to contribute effectively to this.

To do its job, Court must hear the views of all our community: students, staff - both academic and non-academic - and the wider groups who are affected by the decisions we make. I pledge myself to work tirelessly to ensure those voices are heard in our deliberations, that we are open and transparent in our decision making, and that we explain why we have made the decisions we do.

I know that many in our community face financial difficulties and anxieties. I will support in whatever way I can the efforts of the University to alleviate hardship however it shows itself. I am deeply committed to equality and inclusivity for all and particularly, for personal reasons, for people with disabilities. I will work with determination to ensure St Andrews gives opportunities to everyone for whom it is the right choice for education, research, and work.

Scotland will need exceptional internationally facing universities for its future prosperity. St Andrews is, and must continue to be, a source of opportunity and pride for Scotland and its people.

I hope you will feel I am the right person to help deliver an outstanding future for the University and for all its community.