Vanda Murray OBE

After graduating with a BA (Hons) in European Business Administration and a French Business Diploma from Reims Management School, France, Vanda Murray joined ICI’s graduate trainee scheme and her career progressed with International Marketing and General Management roles with BET plc and Expamet plc.

From 2001-2004, she was Chief Executive Officer of Blick plc, a FTSE quoted international Group of manufacturing and installation businesses. She doubled the value of the business on the London Stock Exchange as she refocused the business on higher value differentiated products and restructured the Group before it was acquired by The Stanley Works Inc, a US corporation.

Vanda now holds a portfolio of Non-Executive Directorships including Manchester Airports Group, Bunzl plc, Redrow plc and Fenner plc. She also chairs the Governors at Manchester Metropolitan University and is Chair Designate of Yorkshire Water.

She was appointed OBE for Services to Industry and to Export in 2002.