Yesterday finally heralded my first day at the ASI as the Communications Manager, following a rather extended holiday due to the Icelandic ash cloud. After being cut off from the British news for nearly four weeks, it has been rather a shock to return to all the election hype and Nick Clegg-mania, but I’m very much looking forward to getting stuck into work at the ASI.

Prior to the ASI I worked for a large consumer brand PR agency, working with global brands across the pharmaceutical, financial and FMCG sectors. I also hold a PGCE from Oxford University, but one year working in comprehensive schools with all the paperwork and its dull and limited curriculum was more than enough to cure me of my desire to teach. I studied my undergraduate degree around the corner from where the handsome Adam Smith Monument now stands in Edinburgh, and it was whilst studying English Literature there that I first encountered ‘The Wealth of Nations’ and Adam Smith as part of my reading list!

In my spare time I enjoy going to the theatre, drinking far too much coffee and reading fiction. To counterbalance these more sedentary activities, I play netball and am training for a half marathon. I also love travelling and plan to see two-thirds of the countries in the world before I die. Any suggestions on how I can manage this, do let me know! I’m very much looking forward to meeting everyone and reading your blog comments etc – expect to hear more from me over the coming months!