Kevin Dunion
Kevin Dunion OBE (born 1955) was the first Scottish Information Commissioner between 2003 and 2012, as well as former Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews.
Early life
Dunion was born in December 1955 in Bridge of Allan, and brought up in Alloa and Glenrothes. He was educated at the University of St Andrews (MA (Hons) Modern History 1978) and at the University of Edinburgh (MSc (Dist) African Studies 1991).
Career
Following periods in the civil service and university administration, Dunion joined Oxfam as Campaigns Manager and then took up the post of Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland. From 1996 to 2000 he also served as Chairman of Friends of the Earth International, heading delegations to the United Nations and European Commission. It was for this role that he was awarded an OBE in 2000.
Dunion was appointed as the first Scottish Information Commissioner in February 2003 and left office in 23 February 2012 after two terms - a total of nine years in office.
Before becoming the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion was for many years a notable proponent for freedom of information, and gave evidence to the Justice Committee scrutinising the passage of the Bill through the Scottish Parliament. He also wrote the book Troublemakers – The Struggle For Environmental Justice In Scotland.
He was elected Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews in October 2008; his term ran until 2011.
In 2012 Kevin Dunion was appointed Honorary Professor in the University of Dundee School of Law, with special interest in its Freedom of Information Centre.
Personal life
Dunion is married to Linda Malloch, who was formerly married to Iain Gray, the former leader of the Labour Group in the Scottish Parliament.[1]
References
- ↑ Bowditch, Gillian (3 January 2010). "Ecosse interview: Kevin Dunion". Sunday Times Scotland (London). Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/AboutSIC/AboutCommissioner.asp
- http://www.freedomofinformation.co.uk/content/view/45/
- http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Features/Reading-Guides/Environment
- http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2002/asp_20020013_en_1
- http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/News/20080128.asp
- http://www.kevindunion.org.uk
External links
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's website
- Website of the Rector of the University of St Andrews
- The website of the Scottish Rectors' Group
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| First | ||
| Preceded by N/A |
Scottish Information Commissioner 2003 — 2012 |
Succeeded by Rosemary Agnew |
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Simon Pepper |
Rector of the University of St Andrews 2008 — 2011 |
Succeeded by Alistair Moffat |
|