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 Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Global
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
Peter Clack
Director of Global
The University of Exeter has appointed Peter Clack as its inaugural Director of Global Exeter. He will join the University in January 2020.
The Director of Global Exeter is a new role to co-ordinate the University’s wide range of global activities, including our global partnerships with universities and businesses; international student recruitment; global experiences for our students and staff; engagement with our international alumni; and global profile-raising. Working with colleagues, Peter will help to develop a global culture that is welcoming to all of our staff and our 5,000 students from 140 countries, who contribute to the thriving international community across our campuses in Exeter and Cornwall.
Peter joins Exeter from the University of Birmingham where he has been Director of International Relations since 2013. He has also worked in Director roles for the British Council in Dubai, Malaysia, and Turkey.
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
Lucie Burnett
Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Humanities
Working with the wider Communications and Marketing Services team, I deliver strategic and operational marketing and communications support for disciplines and projects within the College of Humanities.
Ijoined the University in 2016 working in the Business School marketing team, before taking on my current role as Head of Communications and Marketing.
Prior to joining the University, I have experience of working in a variety of student recruitment, marketing and communications roles in the public, private and charity sectors, including working as the Student Recruitment Manager for INTO University of Exeter.
Tel 01392 724328
Email L.Burnett@exeter.ac.uk
Ian Watson
Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Medicine and Health
As the Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Medicine and Health 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 Campaigns
I joined the University in November 2017 as Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, Maths and Physical Sciences, and moved to the role of Head of Campaigns in January 2020.
In my role I lead the Campaigns Team, and deliver the strategic planning for communication and marketing campaigns supporting corporate strategies across the range of strategic marketing and corporate communications activity.
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 on the school run, swimming in the sea, 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
Tom Stevenson
Head of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
I joined the University in 2010. Prior to becoming Head of Communications and Marketing in January 2020 I held a number of roles across campus, with a focus on student recruitment and marketing.
As Head of Communications and Marketing I am responsible for supporting the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences in meeting its strategic objectives and ambitions.
Tel: 01392 723113
Email: T.P.Stevenson@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
Polly Lu
Assistant Director for International Student Recruitment
I joined the University in September 2019 as Assistant Director for international Student Recruitment. In my role I lead the international recruitment team on campus and overseas to deliver the international recruitment strategy and implementation aiming to enrich the international student community as part of the wider global Exeter vision. The portfolio includes student recruitment, client engagement, scholarships and INTO Exeter liaison.
Prior to joining the university, I was the Director at the Global Recruitment Office at the University of Nottingham in China. After establishing a new department, I developed and delivered international recruitment, conversion, scholarship and digital marketing strategies that successfully grew international admissions by 60% in one year. In my previous roles at the University of Westminster, Bournemouth and Southampton, I gained extensive experience including student recruitment and partnerships; agent training and management; data dashboard development; alumni strategy development; corporate marketing through PR, branding, digital and social media; as well as conversion strategies of enquirers, offers to admission.
I have a passion for reading and previously formed my book club, as well as enjoying meditation and loving cats. I love travel-the next plan is to take Spanish classes ahead of my next backpacking trip in Latin America.
Tel: 01392 723796
Email: K.Lu@exeter.ac.uk
