Marie McMillan

Profession

Co-Director of CSM Innovation

College

Central Saint Martins

Person Type

Staff

Biography

As Co-Director of CSM Innovation I have led and worked collaboratively in developing and driving vision and strategy in knowledge exchange, business growth and innovation. With over 15 years of business and partnership experience in higher education and 10 years in professional fundraising and corporate relations, I have a strong commitment to ethical leadership and belief in the power and impact of creative education and collaboration.

I am a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, studying Drawing and Painting, before taking up the Sabbatical post, President of the Student Association for two years. I campaigned to empower students through training, funding and support from NUS.

After GSA, I specialised in fundraising for a portfolio of charities and NGOs , followed by 5 years working for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). I have wide experience of working with volunteers and in community, major donors & appeals, and corporate fundraising. I finished my career at RNLI as Corporate Fundraising Manager, having secured the single largest donation for the Lifeboats’ first National Crew Training Appeal.

I moved into the Innovation & Business team at CSM in 2008, delighted to be back in an arts and educational environment. I have played an active role in formalising and professionalising student project and partnership frameworks, establishing protocols, systems and driving vision and strategy. In my role as Corporate Relations Manager, 2008-2017, I developed key college partnerships including the lead Graduate Showcase sponsors, Mullen Lowe Group, establishing the NOVA Awards for fresh creative talent; as well as the university’s longest standing strategic partner, LVMH, that now strongly aligns with our values of social purpose and to change the world through creative endeavour.

In 2023, I was interim Director of College Administration for CSM, gaining valuable insight into the university’s academic and operational leadership that drives and enables our core mission. More recently, I have co-led changes to how the university engages with external organisations through development of an ethical engagement framework and working with colleagues across UAL to continually improve how we operate and support the student experience.

Marie McMillan

Biography

Central Saint Martins

Contact

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