Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West today confirmed that Edith Prak will become the University’s new Director of Advancement, taking up the role from Monday 28 January 2019.

Edith is currently Director of Development for The Elders, an international non-governmental organisation of global leaders originally brought together by Nelson Mandela to work for peace and human rights.

Her previous roles include Director of Development at the Open University and Deputy Director (Development and Outreach) of the Ashmolean Museum at the University of Oxford. Edith has had an extensive career in fundraising as well as international development, having worked for both the UN in Fiji and Oxfam in the UK. She is a Dutch national and gained her Masters in Economics at the University of Amsterdam.

As Director of Advancement for the University of Nottingham, Edith will lead the Campaign & Alumni Relations Office (CARO) to encourage philanthropic donations from a wide range of donors through major gifts, annual giving and legacy giving. She will also lead communications and engagement with our community of 280,000 Nottingham alumni across the globe.

Professor West said: “I am delighted that we have secured Edith as our next Director of Advancement, delivering a leadership role which is critical to our continued success as a University. She brings extensive expertise in fundraising, alumni relations and a wealth of experience drawn from high profile roles across the higher education and charitable sector.”

Edith Prak said: “I am excited to join the University of Nottingham and to work with its Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West. The University of Nottingham has been a trailblazer in alumni relations and fundraising and I have always admired its Campaigns and Alumni Relations Office from afar. I now feel very privileged to take up the baton and lead the team over the coming years. I am sure it will be an adventure!

“The University has a great track record in research across the arts, engineering, medicine, science, social sciences and in issues that are close to my heart, particularly tackling modern slavery and the broader Human Rights agenda. I look forward to learning much more about the academic fields that the University spans and to garner support across the academic community to help the University go from strength to strength.”

Edith will be visiting the University on Thursday 22 November to meet the CARO team and colleagues across the institution.