Michelle Gordon

Michelle Gordon has been appointed as the University’s first Director of External Relations. Having worked as the institution’s Director of Communications and External Affairs for the last three years, Michelle starts in her new post on 1 May.

Reporting to the University’s Chief Operating Officer, Tim Westlake, Michelle’s role will incorporate a wider remit as she leads a newly formed External Relations division. The division will be responsible for engaging and influencing stakeholders locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Michelle will lead the University’s efforts to ensure Sussex’s brand and reputation is globally recognised.

The creation of an integrated External Relations division follows a review into the University’s activities in this area and which found that in an increasingly competitive and changing sector, greater results could be achieved by a new organisational structure. The new function brings together internal and external communications, brand, publications, marketing, digital, public affairs, community and campaigns, events, development and alumni relations. In her new role, Michelle will also oversee and champion the University’s approach to arts and culture with a particular emphasis on the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts.

Commented Tim Westlake: “Michelle has extensive experience and success in bringing innovative ideas and partnerships to life, along with managing and transforming the reputation of some of the UK’s most successful organisations in highly competitive sectors.

"She has a strong understanding of what Sussex means to so many of our audiences and her ambition for what we can achieve presents some really exciting opportunities for us as we pursue our long-term strategic goals.”

Michelle added: “It’s the people at Sussex which make it such an exceptional institutional, and I believe that working together in the new division, we will be able to more effectively ensure the University’s influence is seen and felt by communities right here on our doorstep as well as around the world.

"There is a spirit at Sussex that I feel is unique and gives us something to be extremely proud of, particularly in an environment where it’s often hard to stand out from the rest. I’m looking forward to working closely with our academic schools to further their aims and significantly enhance Sussex’s profile.”

Michelle has a career spanning 25 years managing the reputation and communications for large and complex international and UK organisations. 

Prior to joining the University she had a seven-year career at Virgin Media, as Director of Communications & Planning, where she played a pivotal leadership role in successfully growing the company’s reach and influence. During her time at the company, she was responsible for driving some of the organisation’s most acclaimed initiatives, helping to transform the profile of the wider sector. This preceded six years as Communications Director for a digital start-up and one of the pioneers of broadband media in the UK.

Her career has also spanned numerous senior posts at some of the world’s leading political and public relations agencies including Hill & Knowlton, Gavin Anderson & Company and Burson-Marsteller. Her time in the agency world saw her advising Governments and high-profile international organisations across a wide-range of sectors including healthcare, transport, energy, law, finance and infrastructure.

Following a comprehensive search and recruitment process, Michelle was selected amongst a high-calibre pool of external candidates. She will continue to be a member of the University Leadership Team.