Imperial people

“We want to lay out a clear roadmap that connects the stand-alone property projects of today to the ambitions of tomorrow.”

Sonia Stocker is Portfolio Director of Great Environment – Imperial’s programme for delivering a world-leading campus experience. Her primary areas of focus are the Professional Services Workspaces programme – specifically the creation of a brand new White City Hub – and the Wider South Kensington Redevelopment Programme of works.

Shaping the future

Sonia joined Imperial four months ago. She says she was drawn to the role as it’s an exciting and transformational time for Imperial’s Property Division, who are at the forefront of shaping the university’s physical spaces.

“The expansiveness of what I do is energising and fulfilling. There are times when I work on the narrative, framework and organisation of projects and programmes and other times when I’m given the opportunity to develop leaders in support of that. I enjoy learning and working with others who are equally curious and passionate.”

The nearest milestone she’s looking forward to is seeing the doors to the new Professional Services White City Hub open in May 2025.

“So much work is going into creating the best colleague experience. The fruits of the project and operational teams’ labour will be seen in colleagues enjoying the space and settling in – soothing any anxiety they may have had about the transition.”

Equal focus is also being put on bringing the Wider South Kensington Redevelopment Programme to life. The programme aims to modernise key campus spaces to meet the evolving needs of staff, students and the wider community.

“Our ambition is to show our South Kensington Campus’s importance in Imperial’s journey towards creating an integrated human, physical and digital ecosystem. We want to lay out a clear roadmap that connects the stand-alone property projects of today to the ambitions of tomorrow.”

A career of change

Transformation has been at the heart of Sonia’s career. She has worked in a diversity of fields, including financial services, consumer health, property and human resources in various types of production media.

She ran the TV Studios at Sky for five years, followed by a further five focusing on a property transformation programme, during a period of major change for the industry.

“This was one of the most interesting experiences of my career. I feel privileged to have been part of something that changed life not only for those I worked with but also for those at home watching TV.”

Whichever job or industry she’s been in, one thing has been constant – her enjoyment of driving change for the better.

“I love super-charging the strategic agenda in service of cultural change and organisation advancement and effectiveness.”

A value-driven life

Sonia says Imperial’s Values really come alive when working in harmony. For example, ‘respect’ and ‘integrity’, she says, underpin all we do, while ‘innovation’ and ‘excellence’ really speak to Imperial’s brand.

However, of all the Values, ‘collaboration’ speaks loudest to Sonia at the moment.

“In order for us to achieve our ambitious strategy, it’s essential that we work in a more collaborative and less siloed way than ever before. There are so many interdependencies, from the projects to the people involved. It’s a value that I am consciously working on across all we’re doing. We are better together.”

Beyond work, Sonia is an active member of her local church community, and loves to listen to podcasts and read about politics and history. She even finds some time to lift weights in amongst it all!

She describes herself as “a mother, a socio-political explorer and a member of the Wise Rebels movement on a path to challenge broken systems, break redundant old ‘rules’ and open the doors that will serve the world (and my daughters) better than they are served today.”

“This sees me connecting with others hungry for the same.”

Read next

Find out more about Imperial’s Enabling roadmap.

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