The A-List: 2008

Born

4th November 1960

Job

Chief executive officer, EMEA

Company

Mediaedge:cia UK

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7803 2180.

Address

1 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8NU

Fantasy business partner

Steve Jobs.

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Obsessively recycling.

Greatest influence

Salvador Dali.

Clubs

Bombay Bicycle Club.

Favourite gadget

BlackBerry.

Desert island objects

Bizet's Carmen, Frank Herbert's Dune and my dog, Blue.

Most-admired politician

Winston Churchill. Strength of leadership.

Favourite media

Financial Times, Conde Nast Traveller, Grey's Anatomy, Classic FM, eBay.

Biggest risk taken

Stopping a runaway car.

Perfect day

At home, in and around Hampstead Heath.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

Madonna (I can't sing either).

Career highlights

1993 to 1995, deputy media director, Leo Burnett Media UK; 1995 to 1997, media director for northern Europe, Starcom; 1997 to 2000, managing partner, CIA International; 2000 to 2002, chief planning and MediaLab officer, CIA Worldwide; 2002 to 2005, chief client officer, Mediaedge:cia EMEA; 2006 to date, chief executive officer, Mediaedge:cia EMEA.

Fictional hero

Paul Atreides (Dune by Frank Herbert).

Hidden talent

I can throw pots.

Best job outside advertising

Sainsbury's store location analyst.

Lowdown

Varley, renowned as a challenging but fair operator, continues to lead her network towards more growth in Europe. She likes to spend time in Spain and loves running and swimming.

Most expensive purchase

Lucie Rie ceramics.

Why are you good at what you do?

I'm passionate about what I do.