University of Edinburgh Vice Principal Sir Peter Mathieson has been revealed by The Ferret to have taken up a paid role on the board of biotechnology company Roslin Cell Therapies.
When the story initially broke in 2025, Mathieson’s register of interest form with the Scottish Funding Council described the role as a “non-financial interest.” Mathieson took up the role in June 2024, to support the “life saving” work performed by the company which now manufactures medical products.
it’s a slap in the face
However, latest reports from The Ferret reveal that Mathieson’s position at the company as non-executive director is a paid position. Though Roslin CT have not disclosed his earnings, accounts published by the company show that 7 of its directors were paid a combined 566,000 in 2024.
Amidst the principle’s attempts to reduce the University’s costs by 140 million, questions surrounding his personal efforts to cut costs have been raised.
Committee convener at Holyrood Education Committee, Douglas Ross pointed out the principal’s reported salary of £418,000 is more than the combined wages of First Minister John Swinney and Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Mathieson responding “I was made an offer by the University of Edinburgh when I was appointed and I accepted it, and I am very satisfied with the package I was offered.”
The UCU posted “Whilst staff and students are worried about the future of their jobs and their degree, it’s a slap in the face to find out our boss is being paid for a second job!”
Cost cutting measures taken by the University involve 373 staff taking up ‘voluntary severance’ between August 2024 and November 2025. Sophia Woodman, branch president of UCUE has also pointed to ongoing concern surrounding “hidden redundancies,” where the university has reduced budgets for guaranteed contact hours and declined to renew fixed-term contracts.
In reference to Mathieson’s second job, Woodman said she found it “incomprehensible that Mathieson would take on a role in a former university spin-off when he’s already earning so much money.”
It seems the confirmation of Mathieson’s second paid position will continue to raise controversy whilst the university continues to cut budgets and reduce staff numbers as a part of its cost saving measures.
“Peter Mathieson 2019” by Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh is licensed under CC BY 4.0.