New Director for Student Recruitment and Outreach

06 Mar 2017

Richard Cotton to develop new student recruitment strategy

Richard Cotton has been appointed as Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach and will join the University in June to lead the Division of Student Recruitment and International Development within the Directorate for the Student Experience. 

Richard is currently Director of the International Office at Cardiff University with responsibility for international recruitment and partnerships, and the development of the University’s approach to transnational education. 

The appointment comes following the departure of Mike Gibbons, who has taken up a new role as Director of External Relations and Deputy Registrar at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Working closely with the Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students and the Director for the Student Experience, Richard will develop a new student recruitment strategy focused on ensuring the University is delivering degree programmes that support our research agenda, but are also market driven.  The new Strategy will support the University in attracting the most able students irrelevant of their background and continue to showcase Manchester as a leader in widening participation.

On his appointment, Richard says: “I am very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities in my new role and to contributing to the delivery of an outstanding student experience for University of Manchester students from the UK and around the world.”

Prior to joining Cardiff University, Richard spent 15 years at the British Council working in a variety of roles in the UK and overseas. His last role at the British Council was as Country Director for The United Arab Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi and covering operations across the Emirates.

Richard will report to Dr Tim Westlake, Director of the Directorate for Student Experience. Tim says: “I am incredibly excited that Richard is joining the University. We have found someone impressive, skilled and highly engaged with the Manchester 2020 Agenda to become a top 25 university in the world.  I am delighted that someone with so much international experience is joining the University in this crucial role.”