I am a microbiologist who has worked in academia (Universities of Newcastle, Cologne, Milan), the public sector (Public Health Service) and the private sector. I have authored a large number of scientific publications including chapters in two of the standard microbiological texts. Latterly I was a senior manager with Unilever plc becoming global Head of Regulatory Affairs Foods R&D. I have been an adviser to the UK Government on genetic modification, and health and safety and, to the EU Commission on risk and food safety. Until 2013 I was a visiting Professor at the University of Exeter and a Non-Executive Director of Milton Keynes Community Health Services. I am a Trustee of the Society for Experimental Biology and a Magistrate. I was awarded an MBE for services to the biotechnology industry.

Educated at Cambridge and Liverpool Universities, I have a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry. My career has been in the plastics and packaging industries, initially in operations and then in running businesses. I was a director of RPC Group Plc, Europe’s leading manufacturer of rigid plastics packaging (headquartered in Rushden). Latterly I was based in Germany, with responsibility for a division with eleven businesses across Europe. I served as a member of the Council of the British Plastics Federation.

Following retirement, I spent three months teaching at a tribal school in south India. My current activities include being vice-chair of Langley House Trust, an organisation for the resettlement of ex-offenders, and involvement in business start-ups. I am a member of the Horners' Livery Company – with a special interest in education, training and apprenticeships in the plastics industry. I was formerly a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at Wellingborough Prison.