I am the first ever UK Agriculture, Food & Drink Counsellor for Australia and New Zealand, based at the British Consulate General in Sydney. My role is to support UK companies export British food and drink to the ANZ market by reducing barriers to trade. I also seek and promote opportunities to enhance collaboration between UK, Australian and New Zealand farmers and agriculture sectors, particularly in relation to agri-tech.

Successfully led a team of 12 FTEs in delivering politically sensitive negotiations on agricultural market access with the Comprehensive & Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and bilateral trade deals with Canada, Mexico, and Switzerland. Took charge of a team of 5 FTEs in developing Defra's international food security policy, collaborating closely with FCDO, Cabinet Office, HMT, and DIT to played key role in UK diplomatic initiatives at the G7 and G20. Led Defra's work to support… Show more Successfully led a team of 12 FTEs in delivering politically sensitive negotiations on agricultural market access with the Comprehensive & Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and bilateral trade deals with Canada, Mexico, and Switzerland. Took charge of a team of 5 FTEs in developing Defra's international food security policy, collaborating closely with FCDO, Cabinet Office, HMT, and DIT to played key role in UK diplomatic initiatives at the G7 and G20. Led Defra's work to support recovery of Ukrainian agriculture, including development of innovative £1.75m verification scheme to deter Russian grain theft from occupied regions. Show less

Directed a team of 4 FTEs in conducting intensive negotiations with the EU on agri-food and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) provisions, addressing one of the highest-profile and most controversial issues with the Northern Ireland Protocol.Regularly briefed the Foreign Secretary on negotiation progress and provided support for her political meetings with the European Commission Vice-President.

Acted as lead Defra negotiator for the UK – EEA trade agreement, delivering significant enhancements to UK agri-food export opportunities to Norway.Successfully engaged with policy, legal, sector and stakeholder teams to establish Defra's negotiation objectives for a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council.Led Directorate’s Project Race work to tackle systemic issues with recruitment, delivering a record number of interns through the Summer Diversity Internship Programme… Show more Acted as lead Defra negotiator for the UK – EEA trade agreement, delivering significant enhancements to UK agri-food export opportunities to Norway.Successfully engaged with policy, legal, sector and stakeholder teams to establish Defra's negotiation objectives for a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council.Led Directorate’s Project Race work to tackle systemic issues with recruitment, delivering a record number of interns through the Summer Diversity Internship Programme and ensuring 90% of interview panels had BAME representation. Show less

Led a team of 7 FTEs in managing Defra’s engagement with the Devolved Administrations on trade policy and negotiations, effectively navigating politically sensitive trade matters.Provided valuable advice to Ministers on trade provisions within the Agriculture Bill, offering options to address threatened backbench rebellion on food standards and trade agreements.Successfully oversaw Defra’s contribution to cross-Whitehall programme to transition hundreds of EU to UK treaties… Show more Led a team of 7 FTEs in managing Defra’s engagement with the Devolved Administrations on trade policy and negotiations, effectively navigating politically sensitive trade matters.Provided valuable advice to Ministers on trade provisions within the Agriculture Bill, offering options to address threatened backbench rebellion on food standards and trade agreements.Successfully oversaw Defra’s contribution to cross-Whitehall programme to transition hundreds of EU to UK treaties, directly negotiating countries such as the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Show less

Led a team of 10 FTEs in supporting the PM's Sherpa during the renegotiation of the Northern Ireland backstop, coordinating rapid cross-department policy development under intense scrutiny from No10.Established a cross-Whitehall governance program to implement the subsequent Northern Ireland Protocol, identifying departmental SROs for effective implementation.

Led a team of 9 FTEs in supporting Ministerial engagement with the Devolved Administrations and providing expert advice on devolution and constitutional policy issues arising from EU exit.Collaborated with the Cabinet Office secretariat to facilitate Joint Ministerial Committees between the UK Government and Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland ministers.

Fostered relationships between Defra and the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland administrations on politically sensitive policy areas related to EU exit, such as water quality, animal health, chemicals.Led coordinated efforts across 20 policy teams within Defra to identify common frameworks in devolved areas post EU-exit, working closely with the Cabinet Office.

Led a team of 3 FTEs in developing the analytical approach for CCC's first report to Parliament, assessing the UK's progress in preparing for climate change impacts. Led analysis and evaluation of progress with adaptation for built environment, national critical infrastructure and natural environment in CCC progress report and UK Climate Change Risk Assessment.

Led on climate change policy