“I was at Roundwood Park from 1982 to 1989 and then studied BSc (Hons) Environmental Science at the University of Plymouth. After graduating, I joined MAFF/Defra and I am still there now – it was only supposed to be a summer job! During my Civil Service Career, I have held a number of excellent roles including: government scientist; international relations promoting agricultural exports to the Far East; business adviser helping farmers understand their customers better; Private Secretary to a Ministerial Adviser; and, most recently, developing Defra’s graduate talent and social mobility programmes i.e. offering apprenticeships and work experience to under-represented groups.

I moved back to Harpenden about 10 years ago with my husband and now have two primary aged children.

I am happy to talk to students about the variety of roles in the Civil Service”.