A press release quoted Gorard as saying: "We are delighted to have someone of Seema's calibre join out team. In marketing terms, we are facing some great challenges in a number of markets and I am confident that Seema's experience in the fields of broadcasting and international travel will be a great asset."

According to the release, Kotecha worked as marketing controller at BSkyB in London, where she was responsible for developing, implementing the annual marketing plan and focusing on increasing subscribers. She had also worked for the airline industry prior to this stint with BSkyB.

The release adds that Kotecha is a linguist - fluent in French, Spanish and Gujarati. She has a degree in European Studies and Languages from manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Granada. She has also worked as an intern in the European Commission in Brussels.