New Director of Estates

The University has appointed Damien Toner as the new Director of Estates.

Damien Toner joined the University of Edinburgh as Director of Estates in January 2023, succeeding Grant Ferguson who held the interim position since August 2020. Grant has taken up a new role as Director of Estates Net Zero & Carbon Leadership.

Damien joins the University from Queen’s University Belfast, where he was Director of Estates for eight years. A Chartered Surveyor by profession, Damien has considerable experience in both construction and property and facilities management. Before joining Queen's University, he worked in the private sector.

The Estates Department is the largest department at the University of Edinburgh with over 950 staff members working across 5 campuses, in over 550 buildings within 20 separate functions. Many colleagues work a full range of shifts meaning the department is operational 24/7, looking after the second largest University estate in the UK.

I am delighted to have joined a dedicated, passionate and caring team and I am hugely grateful for the warm welcome I have received. I hope to continue to promote a culture aligned to these values and to provide the Estates Department with the leadership to build on the immense work of the department and the University’s strategy.