Michael Lavery

Strategic Delivery Partner (& CEO of Brand & Reputation)

Michael worked in the private sector with international brand agencies and in a senior MarComms roles in the UK retail sector before moving into higher education leadership. As Executive Director at Durham and Teesside universities over 12 years, he was part of highly regarded leadership teams and led multi award-winning external relations directorates covering brand and strategic marketing, student recruitment, communications, development & alumni relations. He established Brand & Reputation - a national and international brand and marketing consultancy - in 2017 and clients include Oxford, MIT, UCL, British Columbia, Manchester, Nottingham and Glasgow universities, The NHS, Cancer Research UK, and The Scouts.

He is a Global Trustee and European Council member of CASE, a former adviser to the House of Lords, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the RSA. He is a trustee and former chair of a UK arts charity and has worked extensively in the cultural sector.

He specialises in brand review and narrative development, marketing and communications strategy, stakeholder audit and consultation work.

What inspires Michael to think big?

As a songwriter and musician away from work, I find a lot of inspiration and energy for my brand and communications approach from my favourite artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Jim Hendrix who became leading voices for generations, communicating with a clarity and simplicity to connect with their audiences.

These musical icons were masterful communicators and story-tellers, recognising the importance of listening to your instincts and to the views of others to succeed. As Jimi says: “knowledge speaks but wisdom listens.”