Spotlight on Mark Johnson

This week the spotlight is on Mark Johnson, Marketing and Student Recruitment Manager at the UCL Australia in Adelaide.

What is your role and what does it involve?

Marketing and Student Recruitment Manager.

It involves connecting with the best students from around the world, educating them about UCL Australia and how studying here might help people achieve their goals. It also involves increasing awareness of UCL Australia in all relevant areas; from academic institutions to companies in Australia and around the world.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I've just joined UCL Australia and moved here when we opened the campus. I've always had a strong connection to UCL. I'm a UCL alumnus (Class of 2007), my father studied here then was a senior lecturer in Anatomy so I grew up spending my school holidays around Gower Street.

My professional career started in Audit then moved (thankfully) to managing global staffing firms on a local and regional level. In my previous role I was Team Leader for Talent2 the leading HR BPO organisation in the Asia-Pacific region. I was responsible for growing the business, building the brand and leading the team through a merger & acquisition; we went through a change of ownership, 3 names changes and a product change in 2 years!

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

During my 2 years with Talent2, my local office turned around from being one of the "underperformers" to the number 1 growth business in South Asia Pacific.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

Improving the collaboration with the "mother ship": It can be difficult being an overseas campus on the other side of the world at times. Building strong relationships throughout every location, campus, office and individual will be key in UCL's continued growth and success.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Album: Amy Winehouse Back to Black - Released while I was at UCL and a regular at her local.

Film: The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit - Reliving my favourite childhood books - I remember watching the DVD in Ramsay Hall when I was at UCL.

Novel: Animal Farm - it inspired my academic interest in 20th Century leaders and lead to me studying history at UCL ("four legs good").

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

''I said to the Gym instructor "Can you teach me to do the splits?'' 

He said, ''How flexible are you?'' 

I said, ''I can't make Tuesdays'' 

(Tommy Cooper)

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Stephen Fry, Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Laurie (and all of Monty Python).

What advice would you give your younger self?

"Do more. Now." and "Just have a normal haircut."

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I'm a 6ft 2 tough rugby player…but I can't touch cotton wool.

What is your favourite place?

At home with my wife, daughter and family (preferably cooking with a half full glass of South Australian Shiraz in hand).