Annette Cast appointed Dean of UEL’s Royal Docks School of Business and Law

The University of East London (UEL) is delighted to announce the appointment of Annette Cast as the new Dean of the Royal Docks School of Business and Law. She will take up the new leadership role in April.

Mrs Cast holds an LLM in employment law and is a qualified mediator. She also has a BA (Hons) degree in Sociology.

She says her priorities will include enhancing the School’s image and brand and developing courses that are highly relevant to the changing employment market and which offer graduates the best opportunity to secure a rewarding career.

Mrs Cast said, “It’s very exciting. The opportunities for UEL to become first choice for employers, particularly in east London, are huge.

“It’s crucial that we spend significant time further developing our business relationships to ensure our products meet the demands of employers and ensure that more graduates obtain graduate-level jobs.”

Mrs Cast is moving to UEL from her current role as Deputy Principal of Newham College of Further Education, where she has had a significant impact in improving all aspects of the college’s quality, student performance, curriculum, systems and processes.

Her role has included safeguarding and implementing the college’s Prevent strategy as well as establishing new and strengthening existing partnerships.

As a result, the college has achieved excellent Ofsted results, Quality Assurance Agency re-accreditation and other significant achievements.

In April 2016, UEL and Newham College established a new strategic partnership to help create an integrated pathway from further to higher education to meet the demands of local employers.

Mrs Cast said, “I believe that my new role at UEL will strengthen this relationship. There is huge synergy between Newham College and UEL and both are doing an excellent job in improving the local economy.”

Before joining Newham College, Mrs Cast was Vice-Principal of Gloucestershire College, where she oversaw higher education services, marketing, international recruitment, human resources, student services, legal and estates.

Since 2008, she has established 22 new foundation degrees, seven bachelor degree programmes and six university partnerships.

She also led a successful £3 million Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) bid with the University of the West of England and the University of Gloucestershire.

Professor Nora Ann Colton, UEL’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming someone of the calibre of Annette to such an important role at UEL’s Royal Docks School of Business and Law.

“Increased globalisation and technical advances mean the professional and business services sector is undergoing major changes, while the rapid evolution of east London as a global hub for business and finance has created a wealth of career opportunities."

“Under Annette’s leadership, we will be developing and enhancing our law and business courses to ensure they respond to the changing demands of employers and equip our students with the skills they need to take advantage of the shifting landscape.”