The University of Glasgow will today receive the generous donation of £100,000 from the Abbey bank to fund a research project into policies to help support Scottish social development.

The University has recently appointed Jim Gallagher, Head of the Justice Department at the Scottish Executive, as Visiting Professor of Government in the law faculty to lead the new research project. The work will seek to further develop the University's contribution to Scottish policy-making, particularly in the justice area.

Welcoming the donation, Sir Muir Russell, Principal of the University of Glasgow, said: "The University has a particular involvement with the economic, social and cultural development of Scotland, contributing to government policy formation through its centres of excellence. The donation from Abbey will help in the development of innovative policies which will keep Scotland moving forward."

Professor Jim Gallacher added: "The generosity of Abbey shows the support of a major Glasgow employer for the work of the University. Since devolution Scotland has enjoyed unprecedented opportunities to develop fresh ideas for public policy and to implement them. This donation helps Glasgow University to do even more to help analyze and develop new ideas.

Glasgow is one of Abbey's key sites across the UK with around 3,000 employees. The St Vincent street office houses the majority of Abbey's Insurance & Asset Management division, including Scottish Provident and Scottish Mutual-branded products. The call centre for Abbey's business banking operation is here, and many others are employed in support areas like finance and human resources. Abbey also has five branches serving the Glasgow population.

Paul Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Abbey Insurance & Asset Management said: "We are very pleased to be able to support such a valuable project. We are committed to playing an active role in the communities where we operate and this donation serves to underline our view that Glasgow, and the Scottish region, are a vital part of our business plans going forward."

Abbey also makes donations to local causes through its Charitable Trust and over £580,000 has been donated to projects in Glasgow since 2000. In 2004, an extra £100,000 was made available to good causes in the area with charities ranging from Deafblind Scotland, Royal National Scottish Orchestra and Maryhill Citizens Advice Bureau benefiting from the additional funding.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

PHOTOCALL: Wednesday 7 September
Principal's Meeting Room
University of Glasgow
Photo opportunity of cheques presentation with Prof Gallacher and Paul Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Abbey.

Contacts: press office: Mike Findlay: 0141 330 3535
Abbey National PLC Sharon Squire: 0207 756 4197

Notes to Editors:
Interviews and photography can be co-ordinated via the University press office.

Abbey
Abbey is one of the UK's leading personal financial services companies. It is the largest bank that only focuses on UK personal financial services. It offers a full range of services both direct and through intermediaries, to more than 18 million UK customers and expatriates. In 2004, Abbey made a total contribution of ?2.5million to the community.

University of Glasgow
The post of Visiting Professor of Government will aim to facilitate cross-faculty initiatives in key policy areas, leading to interdisciplinary research, and to policy proposals for public dissemination. Jim Gallagher remains a member of the Scottish Executive Management Group team looking at long-term planning.

First published: 6 September 2005