Having trained as a research organic chemist, I qualified as a teacher and became Deputy Head of a large 11-18 comprehensive school.
I returned to higher education, as a research fellow for a Government technical and vocational education initiative, and a lecturer in chemistry education in initial teacher training.
My next move was into local government, firstly as a schools science adviser and then Chief Education Adviser and Deputy Director of Education. During this time I was closely involved in public health initiatives.
Later I became an inspector of schools for OFSTED.
I was previously Chair of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, Chair of the Royal Society for Public Health and a Board member of the National Association of Clubs for Young People. I was also Honorary Editor of the RSPH Journal Perspectives in Public Health.
Currently I am Chair of Ambition, a leading UK youth charity, and an adviser to the Public Health England Well North Programme.
I was Co-Chair of the national Self Care Forum from 2015 – 2019 and have a particular interest in improving the levels of people’s health literacy, especially through better health education for children and young people.