The sea and nature has always been an important part of my life. I grew up travelling around the world while my father set up a shipping business, and also yachting with my parents. This passion for the sea, sailing and marine life spurred me on to study marine ecology and applied marine science at university. 

 

Going into an environmental career was never a question. In between studying, I spent every break period volunteering on biodiversity research and conservation projects internationally. During which time I gained hands on experience of working on grass roots alternative livelihood development projects with fishing and coastal communities, and saw first hand the impact that development can have on vulnerable communities and biodiversity if it is not managed wisely. I realised that if I wanted to make real change happen then I needed to go where I could make the biggest difference. For me this was to work for large oil and gas and energy companies and governments so that I can bring that passion for sustainable development to the core of decision making. I have spent the last 30 years learning the right language so that can understand and be understood from board and investor level through to engineering design teams to local communities.   

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Whilst I will never be a foreign language expert, I do speak the language of ‘Business’ and ‘Environment’ and can translate environmental and climate change risks and aspirations into simple solutions and opportunities. As well as being a Chartered Environmentalist, I have in my toolkit a Diploma in Company Direction, Graduate Diploma in Law, and I am a qualified commercial energy performance practitioner and environmental and social systems lead auditor. My 30 years’ experience spans Environmental Impact Assessment, marine consents, and environmental compliance – primarily for marine energy and infrastructure projects in the UK and internationally – and most recently as Chief Sustainability Officer for an energy company.

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I work with developers, regulators, and financial institutions to deliver credible environmental and social risk management – often aligned to global standards including the IFC Performance Standards, World Bank Environmental and Social Standards, and WBG EHS Guidelines – and have supported a wide range of impact-driven projects with technical reviews, due diligence, and assurance.

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Locally within the Channel Islands, I’ve worked with the States of Guernsey on a number of policy and planning initiatives – most recently authoring the Strategy for Nature and building green and blue economy support plans into the overarching Government Work Plan.

 

Outside of work, I divide my time between London and Guernsey, where I live with my two teenage daughters and spend much of my spare time on or in the sea – sailing, rowing and sea swimming year-round. I also contribute to local committees, including the Guernsey Institute of Directors and the Guernsey Nature Commission.