Jump to accessibility statement Skip to content

New Director for External Relations

Home / More / News / New Director for External Relations

Published on 26 April 2023

Kath MacLeod, Director of External Relations
Kath MacLeod, Director of External Relations

In her new role, Kath MacLeod will lead marketing, digital, communications, alumni and development teams and National Glass Centre, with responsibility for building brand awareness, growing market share and enhancing our reputation among key stakeholder groups and audiences.

Kath is currently the University’s Interim Director of External Relations and has held the role of Head of Communications, Media and Events with the University since May 2021. During her time at the University, Kath has developed strong relationships with key city stakeholders, led profile-raising campaigns including REF 2021, and managed communications through issues such as the cyber attack. She is a member of the Board for Sunderland Business Improvement District.  

A graduate of University of Oxford, Kath brings over 22 years experience of working in large, complex, public-facing organisations as a senior adviser delivering major campaigns to raise brand awareness, reputation and stakeholder support - including within Government (the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Communities and Local Government), and the BBC (the BBC Trust and BBC Worldwide).

Kath will report directly to Andrea Walters, University Secretary, who has Executive oversight for External Relations activities.