• Log in
• |
• Walled garden
• |
• Follow us on

16 August 2007

'Some people view PR and marketing as just about spin, so I enjoy using my skills in education – it’s an environment that changes lives,’ says Emma Leech, head of marketing and communication, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Emma’s department is responsible for the university’s corporate marketing, press, publications, web, advertising and communications. ‘A recent change in Vice Chancellor means that these things are no longer seen as add-ons - they’re now important in terms of delivering what we’re about,’ she notes.

But some things are slower to change. ‘Universities have a culture of involvement, which means that academic staff expect to be consulted in everything,’ says Emma. ‘In my job it’s important that I can hold my ground against a professor who’s extremely distinguished but doesn’t like a project I’m putting forward.’

Keen to develop her skills and abilities in a professional context, Emma joined ILM in 2006. ‘Credibility is vital in what I do,’ she says. ‘I’ve always looked young for my age, and having ILM membership means that those older and more qualified sit up and listen to me.’

Outside work, Emma is Flight Lieutenant in the RAF Volunteer Reserve and the Office Commanding Huddersfield Air Training Corps (ATC). She started as an Air Cadet at 13 and now delivers training and new experiences to 65 young people aged 13-21.

ATC is a voluntary organisation and so brings Emma different management challenges. ‘Personnel are unpaid so a ‘carrot and stick’ approach is pointless, and conventional management wisdom is turned on its head. Instead, it’s lots of cajoling, persuading and getting everyone motivated,’ she says.

Having such a commitment outside work has paid dividends. ‘ATC has given me a level of focus that I’ve been able to apply to my PR and marketing career,’ she says. ‘It’s given me an old-fashioned work ethic and a solid set of values to use every day.’