Chris Condron appointed Chief Digital Officer

Following a very competitive process, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Condron as Chief Digital Officer at UAL.

Chris joins UAL from his role as Director of Digital Products at the BBC, where he was responsible for the product strategy, development and delivery of six of the BBC’s eight digital services - News, Sport, Education (including the BBC’s hugely successful curriculum education service BBC Bitesize), BBC Home, Children’s and Weather. These market-leading services reach a combined weekly audience of over 90m unique browsers in the UK, and the same again internationally. Chris also leads multidisciplinary teams of 400 product, delivery and engineering professionals based all around the UK.

While at the BBC, notable successes include major national and international events at scale (multiple Elections, Olympics, World Cups), enabling ‘lockdown learning’ through the pandemic with BBC Bitesize and a range of innovation projects such as the BBC Ideas pilot.

Chris also played a key role in the development of the BBC’s hugely successful digital capability and expertise in the North at Media City UK, where he is responsible for the product management discipline and sponsors the successful software engineering graduate scheme within the BBC’s Design + Engineering division.

Since joining the BBC in 2011, Chris has built and led digital product teams in a range of Head, General Manager and Director roles.With over 20 years’ experience in the digital industries, prior to joining the BBC Chris was successful in a range of strategic, product, leadership and operational roles at Press Association, ITV and AOL UK.

Outside of work Chris is a trustee of the Edinburgh International Festival.

James Purnell, UAL President & Vice-Chancellor said:

“We are thrilled that Chris has agreed to come to UAL. His exceptional knowledge of the digital and technology landscape and understanding of audiences will help us to transform our operations. Chris will lead the work to create a sector-leading enterprise, improving every digital interaction and enhancing the experience of every student”

Of his appointment, Chris said:

“I am hugely honoured and incredibly excited to be joining UAL, not least because Higher Education had a profoundly positive impact on my life. I can’t wait to use the skills and experience I have gained developing digital services to build the capabilities and culture which make a real positive difference for students and staff, both now and in the future”.

Chris will join UAL in October 2021.