15 August 2011

Isabel Hunt appointed as Communications Director

Isabel Hunt, a Director in the Strategy team at the Home Office, will be joining the University of Leeds as Communications Director in October 2011.

She will be responsible for helping to steer the University through the government's new higher education policies.

Isabel has an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and an impressive record of public and private sector delivery in senior communications, marketing, change and commercial roles.

Isabel started her career in commercial property before joining Royal Mail Group, initially working in the UK business in 1998.  She was promoted to the International Board as Commercial Director in 2001. In 2004, she returned to the UK business as Head of Channels, developing Royal Mail's partnerships with organisations such as eBay and Pitney Bowes.

In 2008 she left Royal Mail to join the Home Office as Executive Director of Communications and Marketing for the Identity and Passport Service and led the successful launch of the government's identity card programme.  She moved to become a Director in the Strategy team in 2010, and has also spent time on secondment in a senior policy role in the Cabinet Office.

Isabel Hunt said: "I am delighted to be joining the University of Leeds at a time of considerable change in higher education. The University is very well placed to succeed in the new education landscape and I am looking forward to working with the senior team to help the University navigate the new terrain, to build on the University's domestic and international reputation, and to deliver its vision to be ranked in the world's top 50."

Professor Michael Arthur, Vice-Chancellor, said: "I am really delighted that Isabel Hunt will be joining us at the University of Leeds at this critical time. Her previous experience and communications expertise will be invaluable as we face the challenge of major changes to higher education and its funding over the next few years. I look forward to working closely with Isabel to ensure that the University remains focused on academic excellence and that our students continue to receive the world class research-led education that they expect and deserve."

Outside work, Isabel likes to spend time with her children, a daughter aged 6 and two boys aged 4 and 1; and she enjoys walking, riding and singing with a jazz group.

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