Vanessa Varvas

Vanessa Varvas joined the University of East London in October 2018 as Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment and progressed to Chief Marketing Officer in March 2019. She leads the External Relations Directorate which has responsibility for Communications & Engagement and Marketing and Student Recruitment, bringing these disciplines into one integrated customer-facing team.

Vanessa has had experience in transforming organisations, developing and implementing strategic plans in established and start-up environments and extensive international experience with a global outlook and managing a matrix of key stakeholders.

Before joining the University of East London, Vanessa was Director of External Relations at the Newcastle University London, launching the London campus. Before that she was Head of the International Office at the University of West London following several appointments in a range of higher education institutions and service industries, including in China.

She is a member of Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR Accredited Practitioner) and Institute of Directors (IoD). In addition, she has an MSc in Chinese Language, Business and International Relations from the University of Sheffield, a PG Diploma in Public Relations from CIPR and a BSc degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science from the University of Guelph, Canada.

Vanessa is a keen advocate for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the power of physical activity and sport. She is also the Executive Sponsor for the UEL LGBTQ+ staff network.