The University of Aberdeen has appointed Lori Manders as Director of External Affairs. Lori will increase her current responsibilities for marketing and student recruitment to include the Development Trust, Public Relations and Alumni Relations. This wider portfolio will become the Office of External Affairs and will have within it three broad areas: Communications, Development and Alumni Relations and Student Recruitment and Admissions. A new post of Head of Communications will be advertised nationally in the press today.
Lori (36), the youngest Director of External Affairs in an ancient university, will have responsibility for Fundraising, Alumni Relations, Student Recruitment and Admissions, Media Relations, Corporate Communications, Political Relations, the organisation of large-scale University events and internal communications.
Principal C Duncan Rice, said: "The establishment of this new Office within the University is a reflection of Aberdeen's forward thinking and commitment to an integrated approach to external affairs to support the academic ambitions of the institution. Lori has demonstrated a clear understanding of the issues being faced within the University, I firmly believe that she has the skills, dynamism and determination it takes to establish this new division and enhance Aberdeen's reputation as one of the most distinguished universities in Scotland."
Speaking on her new appointment, Lori said: "I am delighted to be appointed Director of External Affairs for the University of Aberdeen. These are exciting times for universities in respect to the increasingly challenging environment in which higher education institutions operate. I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead."
Lori will take up her new responsibilities from this week and report directly to the Secretary to the University.