Since July 2020 I have worked for DEFRA as a policy officer working with the tests and trials team on the design, development, and delivery, of the Environmental Land Management Schemes. During this time I have honed my project management skills and learnt a lot about policy development, how the public sector works, and environmental issues.In May 2021 I was elected as a Wiltshire Councillor at my first attempt and have focused on being a good division member and learning how local government works. I have joined several committees; Eastern Area Planning, Environment Select, Overview and Scrutiny Management, and Standards. I also sit as a substitute on the Children’s Select Committee. I have also taken part in several task groups including the climate emergency task group, youth funding task group, the area boards task group, housing policy task group, and the asset transfer rapid scrutiny exercise.In May 2023 I was appointed by the Council to Chair the Audit and Governance Committee which is a role I take very seriously and look forward to undertaking. I was also elected by my fellow councillors to Chair the Devizes Area Board which is the local forum for residents living in the seven electoral divisions around Devizes.Prior to these roles I was involved for many years in small businesses. I am an experienced manager and business owner. Like all owners of a small business I have had to develop a wide range of skills and develop a good knowledge of all aspects of running a business. My greatest strengths lie in strategy, sales, and operations. Having successfully managed a transition in a family business and a business turnaround I decided to focus more on policy and making things better for all businesses. For a number of years I volunteered with the federation of small businesses which inspired my change of direction in career in to government policy.My passion is enterprise, particularly youth enterprise and I am interested in developing relationships between local organisations and agencies which can help foster the entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.In my spare time I currently serve as deputy chair political of my local constituency where I am responsible for coordinating and running election campaigns.