With a background in International Trade & Investment, experience in public, private and third sector, advising on international trade, new markets and inward investment, Alison has worked closely with UK cities and regions around investment into innovation, partnerships and technology. Prior to joining techUK, Alison had her own consulting business and was Head of Global Investment with the Connected Places Catapult. This role had a focus on FDI around the built environment and mobility, working across NetZero mobility projects in the UK and globally. She worked closely with the Innovation Districts Group to establish a culture of knowledge sharing and helped set up the Freeport Innovation Network to foster innovation in the context of freeports with a focus on investment. 

She spent six years living and working in the Middle East, with the Department for Business and Trade. Based first in Oman, leading on several sectors from Education to Infrastructure, then based in the UAE, setting up the Technology and Smart Cities sector, with a core focus on AI and Fintech. 

Alison is passionate about economic growth for the UK, to create jobs and opportunities, the green agenda and the decarbonisation of transport. She has a degree in Russian Studies, from the University of Edinburgh and is currently learning Arabic.