After achieving my degree in biology at the University of York, I joined the water industry as a graduate management trainee in 2003.

During my time in the water sector, I focused my career primarily on asset risk management, utility regulation, business planning and capital programme delivery. I gained asset management and operational experience and led teams responsible for investment programme management, capital efficiency and regulatory business planning. Latterly I led the Programme Management Office for my previous company’s £2bn capital investment programme.

Giving something back is important to me and during this period I was an active ambassador for the charity WaterAid, colleague mentor, STEM subject ambassador for North Yorkshire and company speaker. During this time, I also became a full-time working mum of two boys, now ten and eight years old, who keep me young, fit and busy outside of work!

After 15 successful years in the water industry, I realised that it was time for a new challenge in a new organisation. I won’t lie – at the time changing industry and employer was a pretty scary prospect but something I personally needed to do. I joined Highways England in 2018 as a Team Leader in the Strategy and Planning Directorate and I’m delighted to say that I haven’t looked back. In my current role I am responsible for leading the Client Sponsorship team for Highways England. Acting as a strategic sponsor, I carry out a key monitoring and compliance role; working with the wider business to understand progress against the company’s multi-billion pound investment programme and providing specialist support and advice. My remit also includes working with, influencing and reporting to external stakeholders such as the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail and Road. I am looking forward to many more years in the roads sector; leading, developing and helping people to grow in an industry that provides such an important public service.