Leading public affairs professional Damian Bates has joined Robert Gordon University (RGU) as part of a team seeking to increase the university’s role in social debate and political discourse.
Damian will take a leadership role on the team, which will formally announce its plans later this year as part of RGU’s strategic vision to remain an innovative disruptive force in education.
“I’m thrilled to be officially joining Robert Gordon University, having spent several enjoyable years as a visiting professor,” said Bates. “I know how important the institution is to the people and the economy of the North-East of Scotland, and I’m very excited about expanding my role at RGU at a time when it is taking further steps to being even more bold and progressive.
“RGU has always been at the centre of innovation and ingenuity; you only have to look at its incredible history to see that. This is the perfect time to join RGU, helping to shape the university’s position as a thought leader, as we begin the next chapter in its journey.”
The university has worked collaboratively with Damian over the years, particularly within RGU’s School of Creative and Cultural Business in his role as visiting professor.
A graduate in Politics and International Relations from the University of Reading, Damian began his career as a trainee reporter in Middlesbrough, rising to become crime reporter and deputy business editor.
He continued a progressive career in the sector, moving to Aberdeen in 2003 to join the Evening Express where he became editor. He was appointed to editor of the Press and Journal a few years later before taking up the position of editor-in-chief of Aberdeen Journals Ltd to lead the division’s business.
After more than 28 years working in the journalism industry, Damian recently launched his own consultancy, Abraitis and Co, alongside a number of associates with expertise in strategic communications, leadership, public affairs, digital transformation, innovation and mentoring.
Prior to striking out on his own, Damian was editor-in-chief of Aberdeen Journals. He has been a senior figure in the UK newspaper industry for several years having been a recent chairman of the Editors’ Committee of the Scottish Newspaper Society and was a member for over five years of the Editors’ Code Committee, the body that sets the industry’s own code of conduct for its journalists.
Damian is currently chairman of international B2B marketing company Fifth Ring, associate director of leading drone inspection and surveying specialist Texo DSI (UKCS) Ltd, and a member of Opportunity North East. He also sits on the investigations panel for the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
