No director, no deputy: Another executive departs ravaged Art School

Glasgow School of Art’s deputy director has become the latest executive to quit since a second devastating fire last year.

Professor Ken Neil, who has worked at the school for 13 years, is to leave for another job at the Royal College of Art in London.

His departure follows the resignation of finance director Alastair Milloy last month and director Tom Inns last year. The art school, which has been criticised over its stewardship of the iconic Charles Rennie Mackintosh building, launched an international search for a new director two weeks ago.

Prof Neil’s departure also follows an exodus of 70 staff from the school since a second devastating fire last year. Forty resigned and another 30 were made redundant.

A former senior member of staff said: “It is no surprise that another member of the management team is leaving.

“Morale amongst teaching staff in the schools under Prof Neil’s leadership is low, and relationships with other leadership figures at GSA are strained.

“The opportunity for GSA, as it also seeks a new director, must surely now be to appoint a fresh management team and also to replace the board that has overseen failure in so many areas of management and governance.”

Prof Neil said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work at the Glasgow School of Art over the last decade or so, and to have had the chance to collaborate with so many colleagues.”

The Sunday Post has revealed millions of pounds donated to the school after the first fire were used to fund the expansion of the art school’s estate after insurance covered the cost of restoring the building.

MSPs will debate our revelations about the management of the art school on October 30.

Earlier this year the Parliament’s culture committee criticised the art school’s management, saying they didn’t do enough to protect the building.

MSP Joan McAlpine, who chaired the committee, said: “Quite a bit has happened since the report came out, not least some of the revelations in The Sunday Post which I am sure MSPs will want to discuss.”