Sunderland University has appointed former BBC comms boss, Kath McLeod to lead its marketing, digital, communications, alumni and development teams.
As Director for External Relations, McLeod will also have responsibility for building brand awareness, growing market share and “enhancing its reputation among key stakeholder groups and audiences.”
MacLeod has been at the university since 2021 and has held the role on an interim basis since last month. Prior to that she was Deputy Director of Communications at the Department for Communities and Local Government.
She has spent the majority of her career at the BBC as Head of Communications at BBC Trust; Head of Corporate Communications at BBC Worldwide and Chief Press Office for BBC.
During her time at the university she led its REF 2021 campaign and managed communications during the high profile cyber attack on academic institutions.
She will report directly to Andrea Walters, University Secretary, who has Executive oversight for External Relations activities.
