CBE for Prof Cubie

Prof Cubie was responsible for the student fees system

Professor Andrew Cubie has been named a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours list.

The corporate lawyer from Edinburgh has been honoured for his services to business and the community in Scotland.

Prof Cubie, 54, has played a central role in Scottish affairs in the past decade - most recently producing a report into student finance which resulted in reform of the system.

He is married to Heather, has three children and is a keen sailor.

Professor Cubie with First Minister, Henry McLeish

Despite failing his 11 plus exam, Andrew Cubie went on to higher education.

He holds one of the first honours degrees in law to be awarded by Edinburgh University.

As an undergraduate he was president of the Student's Law Society and won the medals for tax and accounting.

In 1967 he joined the firm of solicitors Fyfe Ireland, where he worked first as a general lawyer and then developed his career in corporate law.

Corporate lawyer

During the next two decades Prof Cubie undertook corporate development work related to banking, the private finance initiative, charitable companies and universities and colleges

He also served as non-executive director of a number of private companies.

Since February 1994 he has been senior partner of Fyfe Ireland and of its corporate department.

With decades of experience in corporate affairs behind him, Prof Cubie was asked to serve on a number of public bodies.

In the past few years he has served on the Mackintosh Commission on local government reform and the Nolan Committee Panel.

Student finance

He also helped draw up blueprints for devolution as a member of the consultative steering group on the Scottish Parliament and is a former chairman of CBI Scotland.

But it was in the world of student finance that Andrew Cubie achieved his highest profile.

As chairman of the Independent Committee of Inquiry into Student Finance he was the architect of legislation which reshaped the fees system.

Earlier this year, Prof Cubie was also given an honourary degree from Queen Margaret University College in Edinburgh.