The CMN Podcast

Katherine McCormack is Director of Marketing & Student Recruitment at South Bank Colleges in South London, where she leads recruitment, outreach and brand strategy across colleges, academies and university pathways.She’s worked in education for over 12 years, has led major rebranding and campus transition projects as well as developing multilingual ESOL campaigns. Listen to this episode for her take on the importance of authentic, student-led content and real-life storytelling in FE marketing.South Bank Colleges⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clearhead⁠⁠

A short bonus episode recorded live at the CMN Conference today by our co-founder Gav O’Brien.When a short three-week temping job turned into a 12-year commitment, Susan Williams realised she found her niche at Loreto College.Embracing AI, keeping up with the teens on social media (while not trying to be one) and what students really want to hear and see on their digital platforms - take a listen now!Loreto College⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clearhead⁠⁠

Emma Wilde is the Executive Director of the College Marketing Network. She’s the one-woman-band who is single-handedly keeping FE professionals connected, up-skilled and up-to-date. Have a listen to hear what she did before moving into FE marketing, and some of the major changes she’s seen over the past 20 years.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clearhead⁠⁠

In this episode, hear from Linzi Atkinson, a marketing leader with 15 years of experience across engineering, retail, and B2B agency work. After being made redundant during COVID, she moved into further education, where she led an award-winning campaign that earned a Silver at the FE First Awards.She shares her journey overcoming imposter syndrome while stepping into her role as Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at Oldham College.Episode note: recorded in 2025 - Linzi has now been at Oldham College for a year.Oldham College⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clearhead⁠⁠

Lucy McCann is the Assistant Director for Marketing at Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges. She talks about the digital revolution, helping colleges stand out and what she's learned from her 20 years of experience.Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges⁠⁠⁠⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clearhead⁠⁠Redbridge College Promotional Video⁠

Michelle Blake is the Head of Marketing & Communications at the College of West Anglia. She talks about being the underdog, providing emotional support for a very nervous student and taking on internal comms.College of West Anglia⁠⁠⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ClearheadRedbridge College Promotional Video⁠

Olivia Kavanagh is the Marketing & School Liaison Manager at Xaverian College. She talks about pushing boundaries, overcoming resistance and doing things differently.Xaverian College⁠⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠⁠⁠Clearhead⁠

Kirstie Cawley, Director of Marketing & Communication at Hull College, talks through rebuilding trust, engaging with partners and employers - and a dramatic turnaround.⁠The College Marketing Network⁠⁠Clearhead⁠

Ethan Pratt talks about Newcastle College’s use of storytelling, how to stand out when there’s a lot of local competition and why case studies have proved to be such a key tool in the team's communications arsenal.Newcastle College websiteThe College Marketing NetworkClearhead