Charles Edward Donovan was an evening student in 1956-1957 on the Glasgow School of Management Studies Management Diploma Course, which was jointly run by the Scottish College of Commerce and the Royal College of Science and Technology. He obtained certificates in Economics, Human Relations and Psychology, Introduction to Management Principles, Analysis Techniques, Job Evaluation, Merit Rating and Incentives, and Work Measurement.
Donovan started a career in personnel at Rolls Royce in Glasgow. He moved to British Airways in 1958 and, in 1966, moved to the gas industry. In 1977, he was appointed Director of Industrial Relations at British Gas and, in 1981, Member for Personnel of the British Gas Corporation.