CLASS OF 2022: International cultural relations leader awarded honorary fellowship

Helen Silvester has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton for her contribution to the field of education across the world. 

Having graduated from Wolverhampton Polytechnic in 1985 with a BA Hons in European Studies, Helen started her career as a teacher in Portugal and Thailand, joining the British Council as an academic in the Czech Republic in 1994.   

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It supports peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide through its work in education, arts and culture, and the English language. 

Helen is currently the British Council’s Regional Director for the Americas, leading its cultural relations mission in 13 countries in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.  

Based in Buenos Aires, the work she oversees engages more than six million people in face-to-face and digital programmes reaching nearly 50 million people through publications, broadcast, online and social media.  

Helen joined the Americas from Mumbai in January 2020, where she held positions as British Council Deputy Regional Director South Asia and Director West India.  Previously, in Istanbul, she had overseen the British Council’s education work in Eastern Europe as Regional Director of Education.  

In 2020, Helen delivered the University of Wolverhampton and CMI’s annual Crystal Lecture reflecting on the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in her career and to leaders everywhere. 

Helen, originally from Birmingham, said: “I am deeply honoured to have received this award. It was my study at Wolverhampton Polytechnic that sparked an international career rooted in education and I am delighted to have the opportunity to renew my links to the University and this community.” 

Honorary awards are presented by the University of Wolverhampton to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.  

The University’s graduation ceremonies take place at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, from Monday 5 September until Saturday 10 September 2022.