Inaugural Director of People and Organisational Development
30 Jun 2021
Adèle MacKinlay to succeed Karen Heaton and join University on provisional date Friday, 1 October
Our University has appointed its inaugural Director of People and Organisational Development (OD), Adèle MacKinlay.
Adèle will succeed Karen Heaton following her retirement in November and is set to join us on the provisional date of Friday, 1 October.
Adèle is currently the Director of People and Organisational Development at Loughborough University. Previously Adèle worked at Pace University and College Avenue Student Loans in the US. Prior to her family’s move to the US, Adèle was Director of Human Resources and then Chief Operating Officer at Aston University. Her early career was spent in Financial Services.
Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer (RSCOO), Patrick Hackett said: “Adèle is a highly skilled and experienced professional.
“The interview panel felt that she is exactly the kind of leader we want to establish our People and Organisational Development plans and contribute to our future success, recognising the importance of change. Adèle demonstrated a strong personal commitment to leading with kindness and trust and creating a genuinely inclusive environment. She talked much about our institutional values and culture.”
President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nancy Rothwell said: “I am delighted we have appointed Adèle for such an important role. Our people are our greatest asset and it’s important we have someone who will approach this with kindness, trust and our University’s values.
“I would like to thank Karen for her 15 years of dedicated service – her steadfast and calm approach, especially in the last year, has been much appreciated. Our people could not have been in better hands.”
Adèle said: “I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester as People and Organisational Development Director. What an amazing institution and opportunity. I very much look forward to meeting you after the summer.”