A top university official ran up a £45,000 expenses bill in just 14 months , it has emerged . Sheila O'Neal , executive director of development at Bangor University , spent the money on flights , hotels and meals - including a £10,000 trip to New York for herself and three colleagues . During the trip last March , the group watched Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel on Broadway in the Stephen Sondheim production production of Sweeney Todd . Expenses : Sheila O'Neal , executive director of development at Bangor University , pictured , spent the money on flights , hotels and meals - including a £10,000 trip to New York for herself and three colleagues . Ms O'Neal , who took up her post in the autumn of 2013 , also spent more than £1,000 on taxis , £5,400 on food and £14,000 on hotels between October 2013 and December 2014 . The figures were obtained by S4C ’ s current affairs programme Y Byd ar Bedwar . The university defended the New York visit , saying it was necessary in order to raise funds for future developments . Ms O'Neal , 60 , was joined on the trip by vice-chancellor Professor John Hughes and his wife , Dr Xinyu Wu , the university 's director of international development . Elen ap Robert , artistic director of Pontio , the university 's new arts centre , was also invited . The centre will include a 450-seat theatre named after Terfel , who has an honourary doctorate from the institution . Colleagues : Ms O'Neal , 60 , was joined on the trip by vice-chancellor Professor John Hughes , left , and his wife , Dr Xinyu Wu , right , the university 's director of international development on the £10,000 trip to New York . Work on Pontio is currently running months behind schedule with the £49 million project already £12 million over budget . Terfel has previously defended the delay saying they needed 'time to get everything perfect ' . Plaid Cymru 's education spokesman Simon Thomas said : ' I understand that this trip was involved with Pontio . ' I would think that their resources would be better spent making sure the building work is finished on time instead of flying out to New York . ' The president of Bangor 's students ' union , Rhys Taylor , said : ' I do n't think there was any need to send staff over to New York for this trip . ' I think it 's important that these decisions are discussed more openly with the rest of the university , including students and members of staff . ' A university spokesman said the trip was necessary to raise more funds for the university and added it had generated £2.2 million since Mrs O'Neal took her post . Ms O'Neal has received a 'reminder ' over her expenses bill ran-up between October 2013 and December 2014 . A spokesman told S4C 's Y Byd ar Bedwar ( 'The World on Four ' ) program : 'The university has succeeded in raising £2.2m since Ms O'Neal took up her post in autumn 2013 . 'Expenses connected to this job are higher than other roles within the university however , this is because it is pursuing an ambitious fundraising programme . Night at the theatre : During the trip last March , the group watched Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel on Broadway in the Stephen Sondheim production production of Sweeney Todd , pictured above . 'We encourage our staff to get the best possible price for any item of expenditure and Ms O'Neal has been reminded of this recently . 'It is not possible to put a specific figure on how much has been raised individually by Ms O'Neal . And it is difficult to attach any single donation to a single event or visit . 'We are continuing to keep in touch with individuals following the visit to New York to secure future donations ' .
Emma Thompson of Bangor University put £45k on expenses in just 14 months . Included £10,000 trip to New York for herself and four senior colleagues . Group saw popular Broadway musical starring actress Sheila O'Neal . University defended the trip , saying it was necessary for fundraising efforts .