Lucian J. Hudson, Executive Director, Communications & External Relations

Responsibilities

The Executive Director, Communications & External Relations, is responsible for leading on the University’s advancement activities, bringing together marketing, communications, public affairs and development to support the enhancement of the University’s global reputation and influence.

The Executive Director is responsible for two frontline teams, Development & Alumni Relations and Marketing & Communications.

Lucian is a member of the University Executive Committee, and the University's professional lead for brand, reputation management and external relations. 

Professional background and experience

Lucian joined the University in June 2020. With effect from January 2023, he is also Professor in Practice (Leadership and Organisations) in the Department of Management and Marketing at Durham University Business School¹.

Lucian is an experienced board chair, corporate and civil society leader, and strategic communications specialist.

As a journalist and executive producer at the BBC and ITV, he led the transformation of breaking news and live events, which included producing the first six hours of television coverage on the death of Princess Diana². Since 2000, he has served at corporate director level in seven large organisations, providing strategic counsel to cabinet ministers, board chairs, vice-chancellors and chief executives³.

His experience includes managing successful change programmes at the U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Justice, The Open University and University of Oxford, putting communications on a more strategic footing⁴. 

Lucian is Chair of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, and since 2016 has been Chair, Earthwatch Europe. Since 2010 he has served as the strategic advisor of the Oxford Literary Festival.

Education and qualifications

Lucian holds an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from St Catherine's College, Oxford. He is a certified mediator, a Tavistock Institute trained consultant and executive coach.

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^1. International DBA Conference 2025

^2. Channel 5 - The Day Diana Died 

^3. Global Thinkers Forum : Influencing with impact and integrity
   Foreign & Commonwealth Office report: The Enabling State: Collaborating for Success
   Global Thinkers Forum: “Unless we take requisite action, the world is heading for recurring crisis”

^4. The Guardian article: Webmaster-general