“Varya is really good. I’ve had others work for us when she has been busy and they are nowhere near as good. She really checks out the brief, is very clear, works fast and we never have to send anything back. She is just a delight to work with."
Becky Malby, Director, Centre for Innovation in Health Management, Leeds University
"Varya Shaw has provided an important all round communications service for CIHM. She has written feature articles and press releases; conducted interviews and edited podcasts; and has also supported our comms planning by providing strategic PR advice. Her previous experience in the health and social care sectors has been particularly valuable in providing a high quality and relevant service."
Juliet Brown, Centre Manager, Centre for Innovation in Health Management, Leeds University
"I have got the article and read through it. I think it looks great, a really lovely tone to it which really (I feel) captures exactly what we are trying to do with our project."
Natalie Cunningham, Communications and Engagement Manager, North West Leadership Academy
"Varya Shaw was employed from March - May 2011 to work for UEL Corporate Marketing as a member of a dedicated project team working on a new research project. The aim of this project is to support the development of UEL’s promotional material to market its research strategy and expertise. Varya's work ouputs were of an excellent standard and delivered according to project specifications. Additionally, Varya's professionalism, creative input and commitment were valued. I have had no hesitation in re-employing Varya for further work."
Catherine Downes, Director of Corporate Marketing, University of East London
"Varya worked on a key brochure aimed at showcasing our research and attracting more funding. She communicated well with academics and was able to process the themes that emerged into excellent readable copy that holds the attention. We have contracted her for a further important project which requires original writing unique to UEL."
Sara Hazzard, Head of PR and Communications, University of East London
"Varya is highly competent and conscientious. Her major achievements include over 30 pieces of media coverage for the London Museum Volunteer Awards, exceeding our expectation of 20 pieces, and writing five excellent articles for website Untold London, which have generated interest in our projects and driven traffic to our Facebook page. She has very strong writing and research skills and is able to explain complex ideas in an accessible way. She has excellent communication skills, demonstrated by her ability to pitch stories to journalists. She is skilled at developing and executing PR strategies, and always meets project deadlines. For her work with us she has liaised with a range of people from senior museum staff to journalists to museum volunteers and she is always professional, friendly and approachable."
Shabana Pathan, Hub Communications Officer, London Museums Hub
“I have worked with Varya Shaw at Local Government Chronicle, where she was news editor and politics correspondent and we have continued our connections through freelance work. I have undertaken a number of commissions for her when she was editor for Nursing Times’ Care Homes Supplement. Varya is a pleasure to know and work with. She is a fountain of knowledge and information and has a good grasp of very complex and social issues. She is a talented journalist, winning Emap’s Journalist of the Year Award, early in her career. Varya has a unique and engaging style of writing which enables her to write across a broad spectrum of topics. When I was features editor at Local Government Chronicle, I particularly enjoyed her debating style of feature writing found in her profile pieces or when unpicking a complex topical issue. As a commissioning editor, Varya provides clarity and a good range of contacts, in addition to numerous ideas and creativity. Varya will bring an ‘added value’ whatever project she takes on.”
Suzanne Simmons-Lewis, Features Editor, Reporter, Local Government Chronicle, worked directly with Varya at Emap