Meet the Director International
Martin Hookham-Simms
Martin leads the International Office at the University of Auckland, with strategic oversight for international student recruitment, profile and reputation-building activities, international partnership development and university network memberships, international student support and both inbound and outbound global mobility programmes.
At the University of Sussex, Martin restructured and expanded the international team to cover a wider diversity of markets including the opening five overseas offices in China, India, Malaysia and Nigeria and supporting the establishment of an international partnerships function.
Martin established the on-campus intercultural annual event One World Week and undertaking pioneering work with the Guardian Online in a sponsored feature called the Global Student.
Prior to joining the University of Sussex, Martin was Head of International Office for five years at the University of Roehampton, working in markets throughout Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. In addition, Martin had oversight of international student support, student mobility and strategic international partnerships.
His work includes leading a team that have won the Tencent Award for Outstanding Support for Chinese Students (2022), Voted winner of Study Portals Global Satisfaction Award for student diversity (2021), Tencent Award for best campus and employment prospects (2019),EuroAsia Award for Most Preferred UK University (2018), Tencent Award for Most Favoured UK University for Chinese families (2018); HEIST Award for Best International Initiative (2016); shortlisted for a Times Higher Award for Best International Recruitment Strategy (2015) and Best Education Marketing (2006).
A graduate of Product Design from the University of Huddersfield, Martin holds a CIM Professional Diploma in International Marketing and completed an MBA in Higher Education Management at the Institute of Education, University College London in 2012.
Martin is a former member of the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA) Executive where he represented the views of the UK higher education sector in relation to the UK government’s Study UK campaign and key liaison with the British Council.
Office of the Director
Raphael Tang is Executive Assistant to the Director International and supports the International Office’s senior leadership team.
