Originally from Lyon, France (a twin city to St. Louis!), Veronique DiVoire, MBA 1994 met her husband and fellow UMSL alum, Subhojit Chakraborty, MS 1995, while earning her MBA. Together, the couple moved to London, where Veronique now works as the head of human resources for Freedom from Torture, a not-for-profit human rights organization.
What brought you to London?
My husband getting a job in London. He is from India and graduated from UMSL too, earning a master’s degree in physiological optics and vision science.
Biggest surprise about living and working in London?
How expensive London is, in particular accommodations! I was also surprised when looking for jobs. England has its own human resources professional body, the CIPD, and most human resources jobs require a master’s or bachelor’s accredited by the CIPD. I fought the job market hard when looking for my first job in England to secure a role that wouldn’t require me to do another master’s in England. I achieved that and moving roles after that was a lot easier as I had professional experience in England.
Veronique DiVoire is the head of human resources for Freedom from Torture, a not-for-profit human rights organization. (Photo courtesy of Veronique DiVoire)
Where to stay
In the Docklands by the Thames River. It is a brand-new area of London that has developed in the past 25 years.
Must-see attractions
The London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. Also, the wonderful museums, such as the British Museum and Science Museum, to name a few.
Hidden gems
Greenwich and its meridian. It’s not as popular as the other attractions and often forgotten by tourists, but it sits in a
beautiful park by the Thames outside of the intense central London life.
Food to try
Fish and chips or bangers and mash, of course!
This story was originally published in the fall 2023 issue of UMSL Magazine. If you have a story idea for UMSL Magazine, email magazine@umsl.edu.
