Caitlin de Jode heads up the government relations, strategic communications, public affairs and PR activity at UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. She leads UCAS’ external engagement with policymakers, journalists and key sector stakeholders to ensure UCAS’ insight and data can inform policy development and increase public understanding of the higher education sector. Prior to joining UCAS she worked for the education charity Teach First, managing their public affairs activity and relationships with parliamentarians and the education sector. She played a key role in the organisation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, managing external communications on the establishment and delivery of the National Tutoring Programme. She has also previously worked for a leading public affairs and corporate communications consultancy, with major blue chip clients International Airlines Group, Mars UK and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, as well as for the University of Cambridge.