Following a period of six years as the University’s Director of Communications & Advocacy, Tim Watkinson will be leaving Nottingham at the end of June to take up a new role as Director of Communications & Engagement at the University of Leeds.

Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Simone Buitendijk and Executive Group, Tim will be leading a department of 90 staff with full responsibility for all aspects of the University of Leeds’ communications, including media relations, staff and student engagement, public affairs, and the University’s brand and digital profile.

Tim spent five years at Leeds as both an undergraduate and Masters student and, although saddened to leave Nottingham, is looking forward to returning to Leeds which in many respects prepared him for the career path he has followed since graduation.

Before joining the University of Nottingham in 2017, Tim was Director of Communications at Sheffield Hallam University. He has spent 10 years leading communications in the higher education sector and is currently chairs the Russell Group Directors of Communication network.

Prior to his career in universities, Tim held senior communications roles in Government between 1994 and 2013, including more than a decade at the Department for Education, where he was latterly Director of Communications.

Tim said: “I have hugely enjoyed my time at Nottingham and feel extremely privileged to have helped to communicate the University’s success in producing research with real-world impact and engaging our global community of staff and students.

“I have really appreciated being part of our very close and supportive University community at Nottingham and would like to thank every colleague for their support to me and the University’s communications operation over many years. I am particularly grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the exceptional Communications & Advocacy team who I know will continue the work to promote the institution’s global reputation for excellence.

“Although saddened to leave Nottingham, I am delighted to be returning to the university where I spent many happy years as both an undergraduate and Masters student. Leeds is a fantastic institution with a distinguished history of producing outstanding research and providing a superb education to its students.”

Tim will be spending his remaining months at Nottingham supporting the Communications & Advocacy team through the transition, and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Helen Pennack will confirm details in due course of how and when his successor will be recruited, alongside any interim arrangements.