Selena Bolingbroke is the University of East London Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Strategic Planning and External Development.

Having studied at UEL in the 1990s, she returned in 2008 as Director of the External Strategic Development Service. Selena is responsible for driving implementation of the university’s strategic plan, and for UEL’s partnerships with external organisations including local authorities; schools and colleges; government and business.

Selena works to ensure that UEL contributes to the local community and that its students have the skills and experience to succeed in enterprise and business. She also leads UEL’s Centre for Excellence in Women’s Entrepreneurship.

Selena has worked in local and central government as well as higher education. Before joining UEL, Selena was the director of Shaping Thurrock, a Local Strategic Partnership in south Essex. She was the skills lead on the Thames Gateway Strategic Executive in the then-Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (now DCLG) and was instrumental in forging strong links to drive skills-led regeneration.