University for Industry in head marketer quest

University for Industry (UFI), the Government-run lifelong learning initiative, is looking for a marketing director following the departure of David Croisdale-Appleby.

A spokeswoman for the organisation said Croisdale-Appleby had left the organisation to pursue other business interests.

Croisdale-Appleby joined UFI from his own agency, Creative Synergy, where he was chairman and chief executive. Previously he had held a senior position at agency Allen & Brady & Marsh.

Marketing is being handled by an acting marketing director Phil Colley, on a short-term contract.

The marketing director will report to UFI chief executive Anne Wright, and will be responsible for a team of 50 people and will oversee a £10m marketing and advertising budget.

UFI aims to change attitudes to learning and help adults improve their employability through Learndirect, a network of online learning and information services which was rolled out last October.

Described as a one-stop shop for adult learning needs, Learndirect provides information about adult education courses throughout the UK via a website and telephone hotline as well as online classes at more than 900 centres across the country.

The Learndirect centres are run by “UFI hubs”, comprising local businesses, colleges, universities, local authorities and community organisations. They offer more than 400 courses on subjects including IT, business, retailing and basic reading, writing, numeracy and multimedia skills.

Duckworth Finn Grubb Waters was appointed to handle advertising for Learndirect in March last year. A campaign, based on the idea that everyone has a hidden talent, was launched through the agency shortly afterwards. Media planning and buying is handled by New PHD and MediaVest respectively.