Full-service law firm Thorntons has secured a new three-year contract with City of Glasgow College, Scotland’s largest technical and professional skills education provider and the third largest of its kind in the UK.
The independently owned and operated Scottish law firm was retained as legal adviser and data protection officer (DPO) provider following a competitive tender process.
Thorntons has been providing legal advice to City of Glasgow College since 2016 and expanded its role with DPO services in 2021.
As part of its new contract, Thorntons will support the College with its property and development investment ambitions. Strategic real estate management is crucial to City of Glasgow College’s aims of attracting the best students and staff. In a competitive further education landscape, infrastructure that supports innovative learning, teaching and research will help the College to differentiate its offering from others. Well planned social and recreational spaces are also important to enhancing the student experience, while investment in commercial diversification opportunities will support financial sustainability.
Aimee Gibbons, partner and Head of Glasgow, Thorntons, said:
“We are very proud to have been retained by City of Glasgow College as its legal partner and DPO provider. It is testament to our tailored approach to truly understanding our clients and a wonderful vote of confidence in our Glasgow office after opening our first permanent base in the city last year following many years of servicing clients in the West.
“Property is far more than bricks and mortar. Investing in the appropriate physical assets will support City of Glasgow College’s educational mission by boosting experience, fostering community engagement and ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.
“We look forward to working with City of Glasgow College over the coming years and hope to grow our services as the College continues to develop its commercial and international operations.”
City of Glasgow College’s twin-site super campus is one of the largest in Europe. Featuring state of the art facilities it is designed for 40,000 students and offers a range of courses on campus and online, producing up to 8,000 graduates annually.
Andrew Dickson, Chief Financial Officer, City of Glasgow College, said:
“City of Glasgow College is delighted to continue its partnership with Thorntons as we pursue ambitious goals for our students, staff, and wider community. Their understanding of our mission and considerable expertise in the education sector have been invaluable in supporting our strategic priorities.
“As we invest in our estate, Thorntons legal support will play an important role in helping us deliver facilities that allow innovation to thrive, enhance the student experience, and support our growth as a leading provider of technological and professional education.”
Thorntons, which operates across 14 offices in Scotland, including Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh, has developed a specialist education team which acts for colleges and universities across the country in a range of legal matters including commercialisation, employment and student governance.
