Growing up in the South West UK, I have always been interested in marine life, and could usually be found when young, either rock pooling, fishing or foraging. I started work with the CPR Survey in 1997, initially as a plankton analyst, and built on my taxonomic knowledge to investigate changes in the plankton community throughout the North Atlantic. Now I am lucky enough to be the Director of the CPR Survey, the fact it has been running since 1931 makes it more of a current custodian role! My recent work has focussed on applying plankton data to the question of marine ecosystem health, and how we can monitor the key trophic layers which all marine life is ultimately dependent upon. I still occasionally look down the microscope, curiosity at looking at microscopic life has never left me – seeing a good example of something quite common can be as exciting as an exotic specimen – I am fascinated with all aspects of natural history. Externally I chair the NMBAQC committee, promoting best practice in marine biological monitoring, making sure data collected are as robust and reliable as possible.