I graduated from UEA in 1988 with a BA in History of Art. After university, I worked for a year in a print gallery before studying paper conservation at Camberwell College of Art. On completion of the conservation course, I worked from home on Thomas the Tank Engine original artwork for Heinemann Young Books. I started as a contract paper conservator at the V&A in 1992, being made permanent in 1994. I have been a Senior Paper Conservator there since 1999.

During my time at the V&A I have established an interest and expertise in early paper, as well as drawing and printing materials. I have been involved with many collaborative projects and research regarding materials and techniques. I have a strong sense of paper characteristics as well as the influence materials and techniques have on the finished artwork. My interest in Holbein's portrait drawings has been brewing for a number of years and so what seemed like a spur of the moment decision to study his portrait drawings full-time, was really borne out of a long-held compulsion to keep looking at his drawings.