President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri has issued this message to the York community:
I am writing to let you know that our Chief Marketing Officer Richard Fisher has resigned from York to take up the newly created post of chief communications officer for development & alumni engagement at the University of British Columbia.
Richard will be with us until Thanksgiving. After almost seven years as York’s first chief marketing officer, Richard has left an indelible mark on the University. He joined York in December 2002 with a mandate to strengthen our brand, communications and to provide leadership during our 50th anniversary year, which will be drawing to its close as he departs. Richard and his staff have made a tremendous impact on raising the profile of the University and have received both external and internal recognition for their efforts.
In my May 27 statement to the York community, I indicated that I am undertaking a review of the various functions that fall broadly under the rubric of "University Relations". These include the Marketing & Communications Division, the Office of University Events & Community Relations, the Alumni Office and the Office of Alumni and Advancement Services. I anticipate that the results of the review will be announced later in the summer and that any changes required will be in place by the time of his departure in October.
While there will be ample opportunity for all the appropriate farewells, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard for his sterling efforts in strengthening our brand, for his exceptional work in raising the profile of the University, for his leadership during the 50th anniversary and personally for his advice and candour during the last two years. On behalf of the University, I wish him all the very best for the future.