I have had the honour and privilage of working with Helen since 2007 as a colleague in what is now the Animal & Plant Health Agency, and more recently in the Defra Exotic Disease Control team.  I am still coming to terms with losing a close colleague and friend and regularly ask myself ‘What would Helen have said?’.  Her scientific and subject matter expertise was extraordinary and her ability to absorb information and data was incredible.  However what set her apart was her ability to explain complex issues and scenarios in plain English and to tailor the language to whoever she was speaking to whetehr that was a Minister, a fellow scientist, a policy colleague or a farmer.  She was incredibly generous with her time and was always willing to share her knowledge and insight whether that was in our team or with colleagues in the UK or internationally.  She was an expert on various European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panels and also sat on several World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) groups. 

Helen was a tru force of natureand she has certainly left a lasting legacy and made the world a better place.  She was a passionate advocate for One Health and for the use of science and evidence in policy makingand has mentored and tutored numerous PhD students, research fellows and aspiring scientists and spoke regularly at a number of colleges and universities.  She had a quick wit and wicked sense of humour.  She was always there for me and other friends and colleagues and I miss our evening chats and text messages where we would regularly put the the world to right whilst chatting about pets, family, our gardens, rugby and of course unoicorns…….

It is clear from the many heartfelt messages in this remebrance book that she touched the lives of so many people and las left a lasting legacy.  My condolences to family and friends. I miss her tremendously.  Rest in Peace