23 September 2004

Communications professional, Richard John, has joined Charles Darwin University as Director, Corporate Communications.

Richard John, Director Corporate Communication at Charles Darwin University

Relocating from Sydney, Mr John brings a wealth of marketing, public affairs and negotiating experience gathered from Australia and internationally to his new Darwin based role.

“Education is an exciting, challenging sector and Charles Darwin University is developing a reputation as an innovative education provider drawing upon the characteristics that makes the Territory a unique part of Australia and the world,” Mr John explained.

Migrating from England to Australia at age 12, Mr John graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Arts in 1975. In 1976 he took up a Rotary International postgraduate fellowship to the University of Delhi in India, reading for a Masters degree in 19th century Indian History. He was awarded his M.A. in 1978 for a thesis on 19th century Punjab.

Subsequently Mr John worked in education and educational publishing, the foreign service as a diplomat in Greece; in senior multilateral management and marketing; as a consultant in marketing communications and public affairs; and in senior executive search. He also spent some time in the coal industry as Executive Director of the coal industry association in NSW.

He has conducted multilateral negotiations with countries and states across the world, as well as develop business relations in a number of Asian countries.

Much of the work undertaken with and for major corporations in the United Kingdom and Australia has been the development of strategic communications planning. Such organisations have included the Federal Government, Dwr Cwmru Welsh Water and the State Bank of NSW.

Mr John is married to secondary school teacher, Kate, and they have two daughters.