April Suzanna Varkey

Senior Executive - Business Development @ World Trade Center Kochi

About

Starting with a foundation in finance through my 3-year Chartered Accountancy articleship, I’ve since explored diverse roles across research, communications, and now business development. At Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), where I worked for 3.5 years, I began as a researcher on governance, urban transport, and social impact projects. I later transitioned into the communications team, leading outreach, media strategy, and branding for research initiatives and high-level international events like Kochi Dialogue 2025 — a Track 1.5 India-GCC dialogue supported by the Ministry of External Affairs. My shift to business development at the World Trade Center Kochi (under Brigade Group) has helped me apply those skills in a new direction — focusing on partnerships, revenue generation, and industry engagement. I’m someone who enjoys connecting the dots between strategy, communication and execution and I’m always looking to learn, adapt and grow through my work.

Country

India

City

Ernakulam

Industry

Management Consulting

Skill

Social Media, Digital Media, Mass Communication, Copywriting, Grammar, Editing, Proofreading, Qualitative Research, Internal Audits, Research Skills, Microsoft Office, Interpersonal Skills, Content Strategy, Accounting, Auditing, Microsoft Excel, Communication, Teamwork, Analytical Skills, Leadership

Experience

Senior Executive - Business Development

World Trade Center Kochi

2025-2 - Present · 1 yr 8 mos

Kochi, Kerala, India

Senior Associate - Strategic Communications

Centre for Public Policy Research

2023-11 - 2025-1 · 1 yr 3 mos

Kochi, Kerala, India

Lead the communication strategies of CPPR and CPPR Academy.

Associate - Strategic Communications & Events

Centre for Public Policy Research

2023-1 - 2023-11 · 11 mos

Kochi, Kerala, India

My role is all about crafting and delivering effective communication strategies to disseminate research findings, engage stakeholders, and drive meaningful policy discussions.

Associate - Research

Centre for Public Policy Research

2021-11 - 2022-12 · 1 yr 2 mos

Kochi, Kerala, India

- Authored a policy report on easing legal barriers to women’s employment in factories in Kerala and submitted it to Kerala’s Industries Minister P Rajeeve. - Researched on public transportation sector in Kerala and conducted a closed-door meeting with Kerala’s Former Transport Minister Antony Raju. - Moderated a webinar on ‘Gender Gap in Employment in Kerala.’ - Authored an article on women’s employment in Kerala. - Was a guest speaker on Takshashila Institution's ‘All Things Policy’ podcast.

Research Intern

Centre for Public Policy Research

2021-8 - 2021-10 · 3 mos

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

- Assisted in evaluating the financial statements of Kerala Transport Development Financial Corporation (KTDFC) as part of the KTDFC restructuring project. - Assisted in secondary research on the regulations governing the Khadi sector in India.

Articled Assistant

Sankar and Moorthy Chartered Accountants

2016-2 - 2019-2 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

My work involved: - Internal audit of hospitals. - Statutory audit of construction companies, IT companies and travel agency. - Preparation and finalization of financial statements. - Preparation of projected financial statements. - Identifying control gaps in processes, procedures and systems relating to inventory receipts, consumption and sales through in-depth research and assessment, and suggesting methods for improvement. - Identifying and analysing areas of revenue leakage in hospital.