My CV

Born:   25th October 1965 and grew up in Leicestershire. Attended Cheltenham Ladies College. Lived in London for eight years and for the past 24 years we have lived near Tring. Having loved sport at school I began a teacher training course, but after fifteen month I changed career and completed a three-month secretarial course in Leicester. I started work at Next as PA to the Marketing Director and from there moved into the marketing department. After eighteen months I moved to London to work for Tie Rack, beginning as a trainee working in the warehouse and shops on Oxford Street and becoming Marketing Manager, reporting to the Chairman. This role included diverse activities such as organising seasonal promotions for our shops across the world, photo shoots, helping organise a fundraising campaign for Macmillan Nurses, advertising and press releases, liaising with the buying, sales and merchandise teams, and looking after the sponsorship of international showjumpers John and Michael Whitaker and Paul Shockemohle.

Livery:   Member of the Framework Knitters since 1991 and a Court Member since 2012. Master Framework Knitter 2016 – 2017. Secretary and member of the Social Committee for five years, organised our entry for the Lord Mayor’s Show in 2013 and 2016. Chairman of the Cottage Homes Committee whilst Upper Warden, and a member of the Education Committee for three years, which includes interviewing students across the country for possible awards. Represented the Framework Knitters’ in various golf competitions including the Prince Arthur Cup at Walton Heath three times (and in 2017 was the first lady to win a prize), and the Inter-Livery Swimathon at the RAC in Surrey on a number of occasions. Member of Walbrook and Coleman Street Ward Clubs, the City Livery Club and the Farmers Club. A keen supporter of Brigantes events in Sheffield, Ganton and Liverpool.

Charitable activities:   Former secretary and chairman of two school PTAs and volunteer for Chesham Swimming Club. I was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for four years and was on the committee of a fundraising event for the Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted. I collected money for the British Legion Poppy Appeal, and we held a fundraising event at our home for the Tring branch of the NSPCC. Secretary of Cholesbury PCC for nine years and still an active member. I organised a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament followed by lunch in the Cholmondeley Room for parishioners from our three local parishes and currently produce flyers for and help organise events, and liaise with the local press. For just over five years I have co-ordinated street and supermarket collections for Rennie Grove Hospice Care – a charity that cares for patients with a life-limiting illness in their own homes in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. I am a Governor and Steward of the Sons and Friends of the Clergy.

Interests:  Having represented Gloucestershire and the West of England at hockey, I retain a keen interest in sport.  Whilst my hockey days are over I play golf, and keep reasonably fit through swimming club and the gym.  I'm proud to be a long-standing ‘armchair supporter’ of Leicester City FC and Leicester Tigers!  I enjoy reading, travel, the countryside, and am currently trying to learn basic ACOL bridge!  Open water PADI qualified.

Family:   Married to Peter who has extensive financial knowledge, having worked in London and New York for Citibank for 21 years. Peter has served on a number of external UK banking committees, and has been consultant to the Central Bank of Nigeria for their payments system vision for the past twelve years.  Peter also runs training courses for global banks and multi-national corporates.  He is on the Committee of the Firebirds Past Consorts Association and is a Freeman of the WC International Bankers’.  We have two children, Stephanie (24) who is in her second year as a Trainee Solicitor in Holborn, and Edward (22) who graduated last year and began work in September 2016 as a Data Analyst in Nottingham.  Daughter of Baroness Byford DBE DL, Master Farmer October 2013-14 and the late Barrie Byford, Master Framework Knitter 1980-81. I was Consort to my Mother during her year as Master Farmer as my Father passed away six weeks after she took office.  Granddaughter of Donald Byford – founder of Byford Socks and Knitwear, (Master Framework Knitter 1944 – 45 and Master Gardener xxx-xxx), and Sir Cyril Osborne, Chairman of Woodford and Wormleighton Knitwear based in Leicester, (Master Framework Knitter in 1950 -51). 

I am a Director of our family farming company, and am involved with the running of our arable farm in Suffolk, together with the renovation and upkeep of a number of residential and agricultural buildings.