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Ruth Connor

CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Role at UCLan

As Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Ruth is responsible for advancing the University’s reputation as a world-leading and life-changing educational institution across the globe.

Ruth joined UCLan as Executive Director of Strategic Marketing in 2018 and was appointed to the Vice-Chancellor’s Group as Chief Marketing Officer in 2019, reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor.

The CMO is the executive leadership role which has responsibility for an extensive portfolio of activity which help define and shape the University brand and raise its profile through extensive engagement on a regional, national and international level.

Experience

Prior to joining UCLan, Ruth was Chief Executive at Marketing Lancashire for six years, charged with enhancing the county’s national and international profile, showcasing its strengths as a thriving economic region and driving inward investment. Prior to this, Ruth was Managing Director at Shearings Leisure Group and Sales and Marketing Director at Gold Medal Travel Group.

An alumna of the University of Central Lancashire, Ruth was named as one of the Top 12 influential business women in the North West by Insider Media and received the ‘Contribution to Lancashire’ Award at the Lancashire Business Awards.

Chief Marketing Officer Portfolio Responsibilities :

  • Marketing and Alumni

  • Communications, Events and PR

  • UK Recruitment and Partnerships

  • International Recruitment and Partnerships

  • Widening Participation and Public Engagement

  • Admissions

  • Regional Engagement

  • External Relations and Public Affairs

Qualifications

  • BA (Hons) European Business and Languages, UCLan

  • Postgraduate CIM Advanced Certificate in Marketing, University of Salford.

Committee membership

  • Vice-Chancellor’s Group

  • Academic Board

  • Student Experience Strategy Board

  • Enhancing the Applicant Experience Board

External bodies

  • CBI Northwest Regional Council Member

  • Vice Chair Preston Town Deal Board

  • Preston Partnership Board Member