Born and bred in Prague, I graduated from the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and also from the Masters Programme at the School of English at the University of Leeds. In Prague I worked at The Theatre Na zábradlí and for the Theatre Institute and also as a freelance translator and teacher of English.

I first moved to Manchester in early 1990s and later also lived in London and Leeds. I have two teenage children and work at St. Bede’s College as an Examinations and Timetabling Manager. I am also a vice-chair of the Association of Czech and Slovak Schools in the UK, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and an Affiliate Member of the Intitute of Translation and Interpreting. In my rare free time I love exploring the great outdoors (I am a volunteer for the Duke of Edinburgh Award), skiing, travelling and reading.