I attended what was then RNIB New College Worcester between 1992 and 1999, having previously studied at both mainstream and specialist primary schools.  I particularly enjoyed history and modern languages, studying French and German along with history at A-level.

After leaving Worcester, I went on to study French and German at Leeds university.  As part of my time at Leeds, I lived in both France and Germany including nine months working for Allianz Insurance in Munich.  I graduated from Leeds with a first in 2003.

Following graduation, I joined the Civil Service’s graduate scheme known as the Fast Stream, and I have been a civil servant ever since.  I have worked in various policy and corporate roles, and am currently the Deputy Director for Commercial Policy – International and Reform in the Cabinet Office.  In this role I lead on legislation currently going through Parliament to reform the rules governing the £300bn that the public sector spends each year on procurement – a major Brexit opportunity.  I also lead on the procurement commitments the UK chooses to make in its international Free Trade Agreements, and led on the procurement part of the Brexit negotiations with the EU.

Last year I was hugely honoured to be awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours, and received it from the King at Windsor Castle last November.