“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

So said André Gide. Wise man. It’s in that spirit that I’ve taken a gamble, and handed in my notice at work – I’ll be leaving in the new year.

We’ve completed a couple of major projects recently – a new website for the University of Westminster, and a major HR campaign (both profiled here.) Those two projects close an intensive 32 months which have been packed full of comms, PR, media, and public affairs work. It’s been a fantastically broad and challenging role during a period of intensive change for the University.

The Vice-Chancellor recently announced a new three-year plan, within our vision for 2015. It’s a big plan, and I fully support it.  However, I realised quickly that it was going to need constant communication, and it would be best served if the Comms Director could see it through to 2013 at least, and better still to 2015. I’m convinced that it’s best for the University if a new figure takes over in the new year to progress my work, avoiding the disruption of a handover mid-project – and this is the only window to ensure a smooth handover. I’ll miss the great team we’ve built here.

Having declined my manager’s kind offer to try and talk me out of it, I’ve taken a leap in to the unknown. I’m putting together a showcase of my work, and I’m happy to send my CV to anyone who’s interested. Both my current employers and Lord Rennard have offered to act as referees. If you would like to see my CV, or discuss any opportunities, do email me (rob@northumbrian.org.uk) or call me on 07961 814 527.

Lets hope that neither destitution nor consultancy await.