Varsha Patel is the Marketing & Communications Lead at OCL Facades, an Essex-based family business that has served the construction sector for over 21 years. She is also the founder of the award-winning Girls Can Build programme – a standout social value initiative designed to inspire young girls and spark curiosity about the wide range of careers in construction. In just 18 months, the programme has reached over 2,000 pupils.

Varsha’s passion extends beyond construction. She is a qualified UEFA C football coach and is dedicated to encouraging more girls to take up the sport. In recognition of her efforts, she was named FA Essex Coach of the Year 2024 and received the Volunteer of the Year award at the Women’s Football Festival.

She combines her commitment to community engagement, grassroots football coaching, and social value initiatives to drive meaningful impact across both industry and education.