(Image: Nick Cameron, University of Edinburgh)
The provost of Edinburgh University has been nominated to join the body overseeing the capital’s tourist tax.
Professor Kim Graham, the university’s chief academic officer, has been asked to sit on the Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum (EVLAF), the legally-required group set up to advise the local authority on issues relating to the nightly accommodation charge.
The Herald understands that forum chair Julie Ashworth selected Professor Graham, as well as Royal Highland Centre director Mark Currie, to replace several members who resigned due to personal or work circumstances.
Councillors will vote on whether to green-light the nominations at a full council meeting on Thursday, October 29.
A paper submitted ahead of the meeting explains what will happen next if the appointments are approved.
Professor Graham serves as provost of Edinburgh University. (Image: Supplied)
“If the nominations are approved by the Council, officers will issue a formal letter of appointment to Kim Graham and Mark Currie, and they will attend the next EVLAF meeting on 7 December 2026,” it states.
“EVLAF members receive a day rate for their work on the Forum. These costs are built into the administration costs of the Edinburgh Visitor Levy scheme. These costs are covered by the revenue generated by the levy.”
The Herald understands that, if appointed, Professor Graham will not take a salary for the role, which a university spokesperson described as her civic duty.
Reacting to her nomination, Professor Graham said: “We value deeply our many connections to communities across the city.
"As the largest educational institution in Edinburgh, it matters a great deal to us to work together with our partner organisations, including the City of Edinburgh Council, to help enhance and benefit the city that founded us."
Professor Graham has come under fire from staff and students at the university in recent weeks, after The Herald revealed that 90 programmes in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences would close to new enrolments next year.
The university’s Student-Staff Solidarity Network has called on the provost to resign alongside principal and vice chancellor Sir Peter Mathieson.
“Peter Mathieson and Kim Graham carry the chief personal responsibility for the current financial pressures, the evisceration of Edinburgh University’s learning and working environment, the slash-and-burn, the internal governance crisis, and the failure to act on the clear democratic mandate for divestment,” the group stated in a petition posted online.
“They’re not just not listening to students and staff: they’re actively going in the opposite direction.”
In addition to her role at the university, which has oversight over strategy, planning and budgetary decisions, Professor Graham is a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and serves on the Universities Scotland Funding Policy Group.
She also serves as responsible officer for the Data-Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative, a partnership between Edinburgh University, Heriot-Watt University and the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Regional Deal.
The provost added: "I am pleased to be nominated and, if appointed, I look forward to playing an active role on the board helping support the development of positive projects for the region associated with the Visitor Levy."
City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher. (Image: Gordon Terris)
Professor Graham’s nomination comes as council leader Jane Meagher hailed what she described as the initial success of the 5 per cent tourist tax.
“As the UK’s first local authority to introduce a city-wide visitor levy this summer, I was pleased to share our experiences at an event with leaders of other core cities interested in following suit,” she told councillors in her regular leader's report.
“They should be greatly encouraged by our experience so far and, while we won’t receive the first payments from accommodation providers until November, we haven’t waited around to start delivering on our promises.”
Read more:
- 'Important moment' for capital as tourist tax begins — but concerns aren't going away
- Council defends controversial tourist tax as it collects £5m in first month
- More programmes to close at Edinburgh University in latest wave of cuts
Councillor Meagher went on to highlight the work done to maintain the capital’s streets and public spaces, as well as the launch of a new £3.8m fund supporting improvements to cultural and heritage buildings across the city.
“We’re fully committed to ongoing engagement with all partners and providers, as we’ve done from the very start,” the Labour councillor added.
Forum members include Lori Anderson, director of Festivals Edinburgh, Kat Brogan, managing director of Mercat Tours, Neil Ellis, chair of Edinburgh Hotels Association and Terry Levinthal, director of Edinburgh World Heritage.
Commenting on the nominations, forum chair Julie Ashworth said: “With the Edinburgh Visitor Levy scheme now fully in place and investment programmes well underway, the forum has a significant role to play over the coming period in providing robust feedback on the projects and the levy scheme itself to ensure the levy delivers real improvements for both visitors and residents.
"Our role is to fairly and accurately present a range of views from individuals with experience within a broad range organisations and communities across the city, and, if appointed, I'm confident that both recommended new members will bring fantastic experience and expertise to our discussions."