University of Surrey make key appointment in growing Employability team

Frances Gow has been appointed by the University of Surrey to the crucial position of Deputy Director of Employability and Careers.

The University of Surrey has a long history supporting students going on work placements and study exchange as part of their degree programme, and of contextualising employability as part of the broader student learning experience. Given the importance of graduate employability, the University’s Executive Board has brought renewed strategic oversight to Professional Training, Careers and Employability across the institution via a new Directorate of Employability and Careers. This Deputy Director post plays a pivotal service leadership role in the Employability and Careers Centre to ensure the delivery of high quality services to students, graduates, employers and academic and administrative colleagues and to provide students with the best possible opportunities for graduate employment or further study.

Society conducted a thorough search utilisting our ‘Research-Only’ platform contacting over 220 individuals from a range of backgrounds and sectors. The final candidate pool included individuals from the private sector, universities across the UK, and membership bodies with large employability agendas.

Frances joins the University of Surrey from the University of Westminster where she is currently Employability Manager, having previously worked at the University of East London.

Frances commented:

“I am delighted that Rachael from Society contacted me with information about the post at Surrey, as I might not have known about it or applied without her encouragement. It was also good to have someone to talk to throughout the recruitment process. I was also really pleased to learn that Society are making a contribution to charity on my behalf - that is a really nice touch. Thank you to both Rachael at Society and the University of Surrey for this opportunity."