A leading business development professional with over two decades experience in the financial and legal sectors has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the University of Newcastle (UON) Foundation.

Ms Louise O'Connell will be responsible for attracting philanthropic support for the University to enhance teaching and learning, and research activities for the ultimate benefit of the broader community.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nicholas Saunders said the University had benefited greatly from the generosity of donors over many years.

"The UON Foundation represents a strong tradition of financial support for the University from the community, business and industry stretching back to the Lord Mayor's Fundraising appeal for the Great Hall in the 1960s," Professor Saunders said.

"Through donations and bequests, many scholarships have been established to support students, our research capacity has been strengthened and the social and cultural lives of our community enhanced."

Widely acknowledged as a dynamic and successful leader, Ms O'Connell joins the UON Foundation following her most recent appointment as National Director of Business Development with Minter Ellison Lawyers.

Previously she held the position of Banking and Capital Markets Sales Sector Leader with PricewaterhouseCoopers and was Strategic Accounts Manager with AchieveGlobal.

Chair of the UON Foundation Board of Directors, Mr Jeff Eather, said the key role of the CEO was strategic fundraising to support students, teaching and research.

"Building relationships with the community and harnessing support for the strategic direction of the University are important roles for the CEO," Mr Eather said.

"We look forward to working with Louise in advancing the University of Newcastle and its communities through its great tradition of philanthropy."

Ms O'Connell will start in the position in May.