Ruth Connor to become the Executive Director of Strategic Marketing
Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, is to join the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
She will take on the new role of Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and will start in February.
In 2012, Ruth was appointed the first Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire and, over the last five years, has led the organisation in its role to raise the profile of ‘brand Lancashire’, driving interest and enquiries for business growth and achieving the recognition and endorsement that the county so richly deserves.
During this time, a strong working relationship with both Lancashire County Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has enabled Ruth and the team to market Lancashire more ambitiously and confidently than ever before. This has been done through a range of high profile events, PR and communications activity and media coverage showcasing Lancashire’s strengths across key sectors, whilst at the same time highlighting opportunities for future development and regeneration.
"UCLan has a strong heritage and an ambitious agenda for the future and Ruth’s role helps support the University’s strategic priorities and continued global success."
These activities have included Lancashire’s first ever attendance at the world’s leading property market MIPIM UK and MIPIM Cannes, the development and launch of the Lancashire Economic Narrative and #WeAreLancashire campaign. Other activities have involved the Lancashire Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Cluster Enterprise Zones’ positioning, Lancashire’s largest ever presence at the Paris Air Show and driving tourism numbers to a record 67 million visitors with an additional 7 million visitors, £1 billion of spend and 5,000 additional jobs delivered in the last five years.
Commenting on her time at Marketing Lancashire, Ruth Connor said: “I have been very privileged to work with so many exceptional businesses and business leaders over the last five years and am pleased to be able to continue to work within the business community in Lancashire with my new role at UCLan.”
UCLan Deputy Vice-Chancellor Liz Bromley commented: “I’m looking forward to Ruth joining the team particularly in such exciting and transformational times for the University. UCLan has a strong heritage and an ambitious agenda for the future and Ruth’s role helps support the University’s strategic priorities and continued global success.”
"Under Ruth’s leadership Marketing Lancashire is now widely recognised as the county’s lead organisation for the promotion of Lancashire regionally, nationally and internationally."
The Board of Marketing Lancashire, led by the Chair Tony Attard OBE, has begun the process to recruit a new Chief Executive and Tony comments:
“Under Ruth’s leadership Marketing Lancashire is now widely recognised as the county’s lead organisation for the promotion of Lancashire regionally, nationally and internationally.
“In her time as Chief Executive Ruth has implemented momentous change, developed a strong and effective team and improved performance through her ‘can-do’ attitude and natural ability to forge strong relationships. I am very pleased that we are not totally losing the connection with Ruth as she takes up a key strategic role with one of our significant partners, and we wish her every success at UCLan.
“As a Board we are grateful to Ruth for her dedication and commitment to Lancashire and we look forward to building on Ruth’s excellent work with her successor and the talented team at Marketing Lancashire.”