I was born in Wimbledon into a large and loving family. Growing up, we lived in the US and Nigeria. This international background gives me a very global perspective on life. Outside of community work, political activism, a full-time career and being a mum, the little time I have left is spent entertaining with friends and family. I’m a keen chess and poker player, an avid reader of Terry Pratchett novels and love sci-fi.
From my first job at McDonald’s aged 16 to my previous one as a member of the London Assembly, my diverse career and background has demonstrated my ability to connect with voters on a broad range of issues. I’ve been a secretary, maths tutor, and shop assistant, also taking on an Engineering apprenticeship before studying Engineering at Sussex University. I was once the only woman on a building site with 300 men!
I was awarded a prize by the Department for Trade and Industry for my work on Thermal Analysis at ElektroMagnetix Ltd, an incubator growth company. I became Chartered in 2007 and have worked on major technology change programmes in public sector organisations like the NHS, as well as leading UK corporations in transport and financial services.
When I worked as an Associate Director at Coutts, I led teams on a range of regulatory and digital strategic projects. I have an interest in regulatory policy and legislative issues and completed an LLB in Law from the University of London in 2009. Before joining the GLA, I was Head of Digital at the Spectator and Apollo Magazines, where I redesigned and delivered the digital strategy for these two publications.
I am a patron of several charities in the constituency including Support 4 Sight, The Stroke Club and CVSU. I’m a member of the British Computer Society and the Women’s Engineering Society and I provide regular mentoring to women who wish to pursue careers in technology.
My other areas of interest include engineering and technology, social mobility and integration.