Monica Illsley

Biography

I have 28 years of experience working within the higher education sector, most of these at the University of Essex. I have a background in communications, marketing and external relations and more recently have undertaken senior coordination, management and leadership roles. My current role as Chief of Staff in the Vice-Chancellors Office involves: providing a high level senior coordinating capacity for the Vice-Chancellor; tracking legislation and higher education policy developments, assessing their potential impact on the University, and formulating policy responses and actions; advising the Vice-Chancellor on the development of University priorities; representing the University at key internal and external events; ensuring effective communication both internally and externally; and providing administrative and strategic leadership of high level, high priority projects and initiatives across all areas of the institution. I am also currently the Universitys LGBTQ+ Inclusion Champion and have previously been the Inclusion Champion for Gender and an Aurora programme mentor.

Qualifications

• Fellowship Leadership Foundation (2015)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice College of Law, London (1995)

• LLB English and European Laws University of Essex (1994)

• 4 A-levels, 10 GCSEs St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School, London (1990)