A life-long environmentalist with a background in media and politics,  advocacy and a strong record in delivering impactful campaigns.  Currently Chair Environment Industries Environment Committee, Trustee Hestercombe Gardens Trust  Advisory Council Member roles,  Ambassador CHASE Africa.

 Former Environment and Nature Restoration Minister (2019-2024) where  I steered  the Environment Act through the UK Parliament, the largest legislation in two decades. Drove  delivery of and instigated improvements on major projects including Government £5.2bn Flood Programme and was instrumental in setting up the new regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection. In my capacity as Water Minister, I instigated a new holistic Plan for Water with recommendations for transforming the water sector to meet future supply and environmental requirements. As Waste and Recycling Minister, I spearheaded the transformative new waste and recycling systems for Local Authorities and business to reduce waste, increase recycling and change minds to drive  longer lasting products.  As Over Seas Territories Minister I worked on Biodiversity Strategies and ocean conservation

A pioneer in my earlier media career, I was the first UK TV Environment Correspondent, a presenter of the first organic gardening series on TV and one of the first women to produce and present BBC Farming Today, R4.   I also ran the Taste of Somerset organization for the NFU, the first independent organization representing food and drink producers in the UK. Ran my own a PR and comms business for 10 years.

I was instrumental in gaining extra legal protection for precious ancient woodland, in achieving the ban on microplastics in wash-off care products and getting soil recognised as a key plank of  new Environmental Land Management scheme, resulting in farmers  being paid to manage soil sustainably, benefiting our environment.

I received a Green Heart Hero Award from the Climate Coalition and was nominated in the top 50 women who have most influenced Environmental policy by the ENDS report. I have a love of gardening and open my garden for charity. Authors of ‘All Gardens Great and Small’ and ‘Thinking differently about our environment: a holistic approach to policy