Alison has background in International Trade & FDI, with experience in the public, private and third sector, advising on international trade, new markets, inward investment and working closely with UK cities and regions around investment into innovation and partnerships and technology. Prior to joining Thames Freeport, Alison was at techUK as Assistant Director Local Public Services, she also has her own consulting business and at Connected Places Catapult, was Head of Global Investment. This role focused on FDI working across NetZero mobility projects in the UK and globally. She worked closely with the Innovation Districts Group and helped set up the Freeport Innovation Network, to foster innovation in the context of freeports with a focus on investment into innovation. She has lived and worked in Europe and the Middle East, where she worked for the Department for Business and Trade. She is passionate about economic growth for the UK, to create jobs and opportunities and the green agenda and the decarbonisation of transport. She has a degree in Russian Studies MA, from the University of Edinburgh and is currently learning Arabic.