Before joining the University of Bristol I was an Associate Director in NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) covering a variety of portfolios over 4 years including Strategy and Insight (developing delivery plans, spending review submissions and collecting and analysing information on changes to the landscape), Strategic Programme Generation (leading, on behalf of NERC, the development of cross-council calls and UKRI strategic themes such as building a green future, a secure and resilient world and tackling infections) and for the final 18 months Discovery and Highlight Science and Talent and Skills (overseeing funding strategy for fellowships and doctoral training and representing NERC on UKRI's Talent Strategy Leadership Team, including development of Horizon domestic alternatives and UKRIs collective talent offer).

Before joining NERC I was Deputy Director of Operations (Research and Knowledge Transfer) in the College of Life and Environmental Science at the University of Birmingham where I led the College Research Hub and held responsibility for research development, post-graduate training, stakeholder engagement, strategic partnerships and knowledge exchange.

I am a member of UKRI's Research Organisation Consultation Group, providing confidential advice, from a research and innovation management and user perspective, to UKRI on the development of effective strategy, policy and processes. I have previously held a non-executive director role on the board of the Rosalind Franklin Institute.

I hold a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and before moving into research management worked as a Research Assistant for 4 years at Bristol's vet school.