The Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University has appointed Marina Pesenti as Director of the Ukrainian Institute London, after a selection competition conducted by the Steering Committee of the Institute.
A native of Kyiv, Marina Pesenti has lived in the UK since 1998. For nine years she presented BBC Ukrainian Service programmes, and later worked in public relations and event management, including as Director of the Ukrainian Investment Summit in London. Since 2014 she has been a volunteer representative of the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre in London. Marina is actively engaged in the life of the Ukrainian community in London. In 2007 she founded an independent Ukrainian community school for children in South London.
Under the supervision of the Steering Committee, the Director will work on the future arrangements and programme of activities of the Ukrainian Institute. These will be agreed with the Ukrainian Religious Society of Saint Sophia, which owns the premises at 79 Holland Park. Until she takes up her appointment, an interim programme of activities will be organised under the auspices of the Ukrainian Religious Society of Saint Sophia.
The Ukrainian Catholic University is excited about this new chapter. It remains committed to continuing the educational, cultural, and religious activities of the Ukrainian Institute London for the benefit of the Ukrainian community in Britain and to promote greater awareness of Ukraine in the UK.
The Institute wishes to take this opportunity to thank the Ukrainian Religious Society of Saint Sophia for its continuing hospitality and support. It is also very grateful to the previous Director, Andy Hunder, for leading the Institute over the last five years and wishes him well in his new position in Kyiv.
