Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union appoints former local charity director as new CEO

Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union has appointed a former local charity director as its new CEO.

Kathryn Burkitt – former commercial director at St Luke’s Hospice– will begin the role in August.

She will replace outgoing Julie Byrd, who has been responsible for shaping the direction of the SU over the course of the last eight years.

Burkitt said she is “overjoyed” to be taking on the role: “I’m looking forward to joining HSU at such an exciting time, building on Julie’s legacy and continuing to strengthen partnerships across the University and the region.

“I bring a wealth of knowledge for income generation which I hope will power the ambitions that Hallam SU have identified.”

Hallam SU President Martha Mitchell added: “I feel privileged to have worked with Julie and seen the bold vision she has set for what a progressive students’ union should be.

“Although my two year tenure as an Officer finishes this summer, I’m confident Hallam SU is in experienced hands and will continue in the positive direction it has been travelling.”

One part of the future plan for Hallam SU may include a new building. The university announced last year that it would be “looking at several different options for the building as part of the next phase of [its] Campus Plan”, according to the Sheffield Star.

This week the building subsequently featured on a list of at-risk buildings compiled by the Twentieth Century Society – a charity which campaigns to protect modern architecture.

Formally the National Centre for Popular Music it was taken over by Hallam University in 2004. In a Tab survey last year, it was voted the UK’s ugliest university building.

Featured image from Hallam SU/Google Maps