Our senior team
Our senior team consists of specialists in their individual field of expertise who are collectively committed to the delivery of high-quality marketing, communication and engagement activities across all media channels.
Jane Chafer
Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs
I began my career in 1985 with a marketing sponsorship for ECC Limited, based in St Austell, and completed a BSc in Business Studies at Bradford University, with a six-month spell in Milan. This was followed by a move to Mars confectionery and subsequently BT, where I held various senior marketing and communication roles with responsibility for integrated customer-facing campaigns.
Joining the University of Sheffield in 2004 as Director of Marketing I rebranded the University and led a programme to embed customer service within the organisation, whilst increasing international students by 40% in just one year. I also represented the University at five international conferences on marketing and recruitment issues and chaired the marketing committee of Sheffield City Trust.
Appointed as Director of Marketing and Communications at Plymouth University in September 2009, I completed an MBA in 2010 at Ashridge with a dissertation on Marketing Services at Plymouth. I held the role of Director of External Relations until January 2014 and was responsible for Stakeholder Engagement, Communications, Development & Alumni and Marketing Operations. In 2013 I was appointed a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
I joined the Executive team at the University of Exeter as its inaugural Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs in February 2014.
Tel 01392 723146
Email Jane.chafer@exeter.ac.uk
Rob Mitchell
Assistant Director – Communications
I joined in 2003 as the University’s first Web Editor, responsible for both the day-to-day management of the University’s website and the ongoing development and professionalisation of web management across the institution. The team grew rapidly and now has a remit which includes social media management, email campaigns, digital marketing, smartphone app design and everything in between.
As Assistant Director - Communications I lead the Communications Team, which includes press and media, internal and stakeholder communications, student communications as well as the digital team. It's a demanding role and despite no two days being alike, the team's ability to deliver time and time again is inspirational.
Prior to arriving in Exeter I was Web Administrator for the University of Manchester, where I developed and ran their first full website. Despite graduating with a degree in Colour Chemistry I come from a communications background, having spent much of my time at the University of Leeds writing for the student newspaper and then 10 years of my spare time as Music Editor and Film and TV writer for the Big Issue In The North.
Tel 01392 725020
Email rob.mitchell@exeter.ac.uk
Carole Fitzgerald
Assistant Director – Marketing Operations
I have over 25 years’ experience working in the field of advertising, communications and marketing services in both the private and public sector, including a number of years running my own consultancy business.
I've worked with clients advising on branding, media management, communication and campaign strategy with the objective of raising profile, awareness and to build reputation. I am proud, and fortunate that during my career I have had the opportunity to deliver many issue-based campaigns which have focused on child protection, domestic violence and health and housing provision.
Currently I lead on marketing operations for the University, a role which combines my previous background and knowledge, with the aim of providing a customer-driven service delivering excellence in the areas of market research, corporate events, multimedia design and campaign management for all areas of the University's business and across all campuses.
Tel 01392 723058
Email C.A.Fitzgerald@exeter.ac.uk
Tracey Smith
Administrative Officer and PA
I am responsible for the management of The Director’s diary and related administration tasks together with providing administrative support for the Department. My role involves all manner of administrative tasks to assist the smooth running of the Communications department.
I joined the University in November 2012 having worked in the education sector of Devon County Council for the past fifteen years. Prior to having my children I worked for the Ministry of Defence twelve years in various roles.
Studying part-time I achieved a BA (Hons) in Education and Training in 2009 and used this within my role at DCC to support students with Special Educational Needs.
Tel 01392 725096
Email Tracey.Smith@exeter.ac.uk
Ruth Thorne
Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Working with the wider Communications and Marketing Services team, I deliver strategic and operational marketing and communications support for the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and for Innovation, Impact and Business.
I joined the University in 2007 as Student Recruitment Manager and moved into the College of Life Environmental Sciences as Assistant College Manager in 2012, before taking on my current role as Head of Communications and Marketing.
Prior to joining the University, my experience developed from a variety of student recruitment, marketing and communications roles both in the private sector and at other HE institutions.
I obtained my Chartered Institute of Marketing qualification in 2008.
Tel 01392 725586
Email R.Tyrer@exeter.ac.uk
Helen Freeman
Head of Communications and Marketing for the University of Exeter Medical School
I joined the University as Head of Marketing and Recruitment for the Business School and worked across the School on the extensive international student growth enjoyed during that period. I moved to the Medical School in 2016 to play a part in the rapid expansion of the programme portfolio including the unique MSc Extreme Medicine
I have always worked in Marketing starting early with over 30 different jobs before even completing University where I graduated in Textile Marketing with French.
After a brief detour in law, I started in the marketing profession as a multi-client pan European researcher, went on to work in fashion PR and then settled in education at the Association of Accounting Technicians where I set up an international network of careers advisors and was instrumental in getting the Association to the global status it has today.
I then moved to Further Education, latterly as Head of Marketing and Brand in an FE Arts College where I won an award with HEIST for the FE prospectus, redeveloped the College's branding and made it a 'colourful and stylish' place to work. I was on the Executive Team and was responsible for the marketing of Genesis (the South West's Sustainable Construction Centre) which gained many significant national and international awards including two Green Gown Awards from EAUC.
I gained the CIM Diploma early in my career and I am now a Fellow of the CIM. I also added the Diploma in Direct Marketing from IDM mid-career graduating with merit.
Tel 01392 723241
Email H.S.Freeman@exeter.ac.uk
Ian Watson
Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Humanities
As the Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Humanities I work alongside the central Marketing team and Professional Services to provide strategic and operational marketing support as required by each discipline. I also look after the corporate 'theme' of Education. I've worked in Marketing in both the private and public sectors for my entire career – which is quite a long time as my birthday candles now have to be ordered with a fire extinguisher.
Tel 01392 722685
Email i.watson@exeter.ac.uk
Ed Creed
Head of Digital
I joined the University in September 2008 as a Web Marketing Officer for the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, providing web support such as day to day updates and developing websites to support education and research initiatives. In June 2011 I became a Team Leader as well, and was responsible for line managing the 6 college based Web Officers.
I was appointed as Head of Digital in December 2016. The Digital Team is responsible for the University's websites, social media channels and smartphone app. I am responsible for ensuring that the University's digital presence reflects our strategic aims and objectives and provide a clear and professional platform for our audiences to find the information they need.
Prior to joining the university I worked at ActionAid UK where I was the Web Editor in the Schools and Youth team for 6 years. My main responsibility was managing their youth campaigning website, which encouraged young people in the UK to campaign on issues affecting developing countries.
Outside of work I enjoy football, music and trying to stop the weeds growing in my allotment.
Tel 01392 722113
Email e.creed@exeter.ac.uk
Emma Reeve
Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Social Sciences and International Studies
I am responsible for marketing and communications for the College of Social Sciences and International Studies.
I joined the University in December 2007 from Pearson Education where I spent 14 years in a variety of marketing roles, predominantly new product development, direct marketing, relationship marketing and communications.
Tel 01392 724839
Email E.L.Reeve@exeter.ac.uk
Lindsay Aitken
Head of Internal Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Before joining the University of Exeter in September 2014, I held a number of senior communications roles at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, most latterly as their Head of Communications. During my time at Musgrove, which spanned 10 years, I was responsible for internal communications, stakeholder relations, media relations, corporate publications, digital communications and crisis communications.
Before starting a career in communications, I worked as an event manager delivering a range of high profile events for third sector clients, and, prior to all of this, spent three enjoyable years at the University of Sheffield where I studied Politics.
I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and in 2012 completed the CIPR diploma with distinction. My passion lies in internal communication and engagement and my final research project explored the quality of the relationship organisations have with their employees.
Outside of work, I love nothing more than spending time with my husband and our two children.
Tel 01392 725746
Email L.Aitken@exeter.ac.uk
Abigail Rowden
Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
I joined the University in November 2017 as Head of Communications and Marketing. In my role I plan and implement, along with my team, the recruitment, brand and communications strategy for the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences along with delivering the marketing vision for Research across the university.
My marketing career started in London in 2003, where I worked in the then labelled ‘New Media’ team for the Ski Club of Great Britain. Over the course of 7 years I worked my way up to heading up the digital activity for the organisation, which included management and development of the website, implementation of their first ‘snow report’ app and leading the digital marketing and content strategies.
In 2011, thanks to persistence from my husband, I moved to Devon and worked as Brand and Communications Manager for a national holiday company, where I honed my more traditional marketing skills. From there, I moved to River Cottage and took the role of Head of Sales and Marketing.
In the few years that followed, I had two children and worked as a freelance marketing consultant/contractor. This allowed me to work with many big brands in the South West and nationally, including Flybe, Crowdfunder and Virgin Media Business.
When not at work you'll find me changing nappies, running late for toddler classes, sitting in the stands at Stamford Bridge or drinking wine, although my favourite place will always be the mountains.
Tel: 01392 722309
Email: A.Rowden2@exeter.ac.uk
Zita Morris
Executive Officer
I joined the University in 2016 following a varied career in industry, including working with the Meteorological Research Aircraft both at home and overseas, and bringing expertise in project and operational management gained within the aviation and marine industries. My current role is to provide executive support to the Director of CAMS and the CAMS Directorate. I ensure the Director is fully briefed ahead of meetings and arrange follow-up on agreed actions, representing the Director’s views where required, undertaking specific actions and leading on strategically important projects on the Director’s behalf. My role is extensive and varied and includes leading projects, working closely with the CAMS Senior Management Team on Service-wide initiatives, alignments and improvements, managing and acting as secretary to key committees and working groups, maintaining the Service Risk Register and overseeing the CAMS budget.
Tel 01392 727098
Email Z.Morris2@exeter.ac.uk
Louise Brown
Assistant Director Strategic Marketing
Katherine Lloyd Clark
Assistant Director Admissions and UK Student Recruitment
Georgina Moore
Head of Multimedia Design Studio and Print Services
Tel: 01392 725262
Email: Georgina.Moore@exeter.ac.uk
