Donella Beaton has been RGU Vice Principal for Partnerships for 6 months, with executive responsibility for relationships with other universities, governments and industry, nationally and internationally. Her role was created to help address the funding challenge and find new ways of doing things. For the 12 years prior, Donella had done several business-related roles at RGU most recently as VP for Economic Development when she had executive responsibility for economic and business development, and entrepreneurship and innovation.

Prior to RGU, Donella was MD of an award-winning company on Skye for 18 years working regularly at the interface between industry and higher education. Alongside her Executive responsibilities, Donella has a number of advisory committee and non-exec roles including being the university lead for Growth Deals, being Chair of University Scotland’s Short Life Working Group for Skills and she became Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen in February 2025.