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Back to school for new Director of Finance

The retirement of a Bursar is one of the most significant historical moments in a school, especially when he has worked there for 20 years. Bob Leggate is leaving Robert Gordon’s College at the end of this school year and passes the baton on to Andy Lowden, who is no stranger to Gordon’s.

Andy Lowden left the school in 1980 and the former pupil has now returned to take on the role of Director of Finance. Hugh Ouston, Head of College says, “We are delighted to welcome Andy back to the College. He was awarded an MA in Accountancy and Political Economy from Aberdeen University in 1983 and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. He brings considerable financial and commercial experience to the role”. Andy has spent the last 23 years working within the oil & gas and power generation industries in Aberdeen.

Andy comments “Although a lot of changes have taken place since leaving the senior school as a pupil, it is great to be back. I had an enjoyable time as a schoolboy at Gordon’s and look forward to working with the governors, senior management colleagues and my support staff team. I plan to guide and support our operations and finances to help deliver the College’s vision and business plan objectives with an emphasis on seeing the future development of the Schoolhill campus”.

The Head adds, “We all wish Bob a long and happy retirement and thank him for all the work he has done for Gordon’s. This in itself does not do justice to the crucial role he has played in the development of the school under three Headmasters. His work on the College’s finances has supported developments including the water-based hockey pitch, the Blackfriars Building, the new Junior School, the Library and the purchase of the buildings from The Robert Gordon University – and this is only the physical development. Prudent yet ambitious financial planning has also underpinned the introduction of girls, the development of the curriculum, the reduction in class sizes and the developments in Learning and Teaching, all of which have married innovation and continuity so successfully during the time he has been here. We look forward to hearing how Bob’s handicap on the golf course decreases during his retirement!”.

Andy Lowden has been a keen amateur cricketer since his schooldays, playing for some 33 years, and is currently the President of Gordonians Cricket Club. There were no girls at Gordon’s when he attended, but his daughter Rachel is currently completing her first year in Senior School.

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