Garratt’s passing on his 61st birthday, August 4, after suffering from a short illness has prompted an outpouring of tributes from his former colleagues.
He is remembered not simply for his higher education marketing and recruitment career spanning four decades, but as an unusually generous connector, mentor and champion of other people’s careers.
“He was a visionary leader, trusted colleague, mentor and friend whose influence touched countless people and institutions,” Clare Beckett, interim pro-vice chancellor marketing, recruitment and admissions at Liverpool Hope University shared on LinkedIn.
Beyond his professional achievements across universities, charities, commercial and public organisations, Beckett said Garratt would be remembered for his “generosity, wisdom, humour and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed.”
“His contribution to higher education, equality, culture and public life leaves a legacy that will endure for many years to come,” she said.
Garratt initially built his career in the private sector and later worked with several major organisations such as City University London, British Airways and Barnardo’s before moving into higher education.
He served as director of external affairs at Bradford University from 2013 to 2020, after which Garratt held a range of positions including at Luminate Education Group and Anglia Ruskin University, and most recently co-founding higher education consultancy, Lattice Advisory.
During his time in Bradford, he was known for his close involvement with the city’s cultural and educational development.
He played a pivotal role connecting the university with Bradford Literature Festival, which remembered him affectionately as “a great connector of people” who was “extraordinarily generous” with his networks.
His contribution to higher education, equality, culture and public life leaves a legacy that will endure for many years to come
Clare Beckett, Liverpool Hope University
He was a volunteer member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) where he held several leadership positions. “He defined a new vision for the Universities Marketing Forum (UMF), encouraging us to be more ambitious and future-focussed,” said the organisation following Garratt’s death.
Dozens of tributes from former colleagues paint a picture of Garratt’s compassion, energy and positivity.
“Mark was always welcoming, kind, and genuinely cared about everyone. He treated everyone with the same respect and was a true inspiration to us all,” Mary O’Sullivan, community education facilitator at Cork Education and Training Board, shared on LinkedIn.
She highlighted his “energy and passion for student recruitment and marketing” and his generous encouragement and support in the workplace.
Katie Miller, strategic business development manager at the Government Commercial Agency, said she “simply wouldn’t be where [she] is today without his influence” during her time working at Bradford University.
Swathes of other posts and comments are testament to the respect Garratt was held in by colleagues and friends, who remember his good humour and how he always had time to offer advice and guidance to others.
