University creates first Advancement Team and appoints new Directors

Monday, 17 July 2017

James Ackroyd has been appointed the Director of Global Recruitment & Admissions, and Fiona Blair has been appointed the Director of Marketing, Communication & Engagement.

James formally takes up his new role on 1 August but has already begun working with all teams to ensure business as usual continues across the very busy month of August and that a smooth transition will follow.

Fiona Blair who is already acting Director, has started her substantive role immediately.

Vincenzo Raimo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement), said: “Congratulations to both James and Fiona. I am really excited about working with them to create a new Advancement Team bringing together our external facing activities addressing prospective students right through to enrolment, managing interactions with our alumni and supporters and managing the University’s brand, campaigns, marketing and communication activities”.

The Advancement Team will bring together Recruitment & Admissions, Marketing, Communication & Engagement and Campaigns & Supporter Engagement.

In other news from across the Advancement Teams, Dale Cooper (Director of Campaigns and Supporter Engagement) is leaving the University towards the end of summer to take up an exciting new role working as Head of Strategic Projects for The Queen of Jordan. The Head of Corporate Communications, Charles Heymann, is leaving the University on 21 July to pursue independent opportunities.

“I would like to thank both Dale and Charles for their service to the University,” said Vincenzo Raimo. “I wish them well for the future”.

A process to recruit for both these positions will start soon, with interim arrangements in place to deal with the transition.