Spotlight on... Veronique Mizgailo

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am the Head of Business Continuity at UCL. My main remit is to spread the word on business continuity through the institution, and help it be more resilient and better prepared for disruptions. Along with Ray Sykes, the Business Continuity Management Advisor who has done sterling work with many of you already, I’m also here to give advice and training on BC related matters and help you with your BC planning. Basically, if you’re worried about something, give us a shout.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I joined UCL at the beginning of August this year. I was previously Business Continuity Manager at London School of Economics. I’m also the current chair of HEBCoN (the Higher Education Business Continuity Network).

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

I was a founder member and inaugural chair of LSE Power, a network aimed at the School’s professional services women and concerned with gender related issues generally. We were inspired by UCL’s very own Astrea. We set up training events and an annual conference, instituted a Male Allies programme, banged the drum for professional services women and worked with the School on gender issues. I’m incredibly proud to have been involved in it, and of the amazing women and men I have worked with over the years on it.  

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list

Ooh, just one? Well I guess the important one is embedding a joined up incident response framework along with the relevant training. In the much shorter term, I’m a tad concerned about the power outages and shortages we are being told will definitely NOT happen this winter. My advice is to stock up on some LED camping lanterns at home.  

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

They change daily because I’m fickle, but today: Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, Sleepy Hollow and Anna Karenina. 

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

What is the definition of a Freudian slip? When you say one thing but you’re thinking of a mother.

Who would be your dream dinner guests? 

Germaine Greer, Jackie Chan, Hildegard of Bingen, George Monbiot, John Donne, Dinah Washington and Hilary Mantel. I’m sure they’d all get on famously…

(PS could I also take afternoon tea with Nichelle Nichols please?)

What advice would you give your younger self?

It’ll be harder than you think. That what other people think of you (or say about you behind your back) is their business not yours. And that everything passes with time.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I love to kayak (badly) and in my early twenties I won the Skipton Music Festival rose bowl for solo voice. My partner is a musician/songwriter and we’re working on a second album of his music. Other than that my life is an open book.

What is your favourite place?  

I haven’t found it yet… too many contenders. 

Further Information

• Higher Education Business Continuity Network (HEBCoN)