Marisa has held a number of roles leading campaigns and strategies for a range of NGOs, businesses and government bodies. Her expertise lies in forming sector groups and alliances to tackle issues and drive collaboration and she has extensive knowledge of Parliamentary procedure, legislative formation and influencing policy. Her specialist areas are sustainability, nature recovery, animal welfare, farming and food production with a strong background on local food production across livestock and arable and plant-based growth.
Work examples:
- Leading cross party inquiries across industry and Parliament and authoring highly acknowledged reports with recommendations leading to legislative change.
- Running the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare with cross party and associate members resulting in a wide contact book.
- Giving expert evidence at Parliamentary Select Committees.
- Setting up and running a small manufacturing business supplying large retailers like John Lewis and TK Maxx.
- Working on the Surrey Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
- Leading national project on reform for small, local and sustainable farming including co-chairing a Government task group.
- Facilitating a trade alliance working on policy issues relating to agriculture and food production with connections across 40+ countries with member presence to create communication networks and develop positioning on sustainable food systems.
- Experience in international food issues including World Food Programme, UNICEF Malnutrition Programme and Plant Based Foods Global Alliance.
- Leading an alliance of NGOs and businesses including Danone, Flora and Oatly to represent plant-based sector at Government level.
- Involvement in large scale infrastructure projects including town regeneration, River Thames Scheme and highways.
- Part of expert panels in Government to take forward legislation and guidance.
- Chaired Surrey Planning Committee dealing with highly controversial applications including the M25 services, an Eco Park and a number oil and gas extraction proposals.
- Implemented an agro-forestry programme planting 120,000 trees
- Leading in the formation and development of key sector groups across business which have resulted in a number of successful initiatives and policy change.
Written work examples
A Healthier Future for Pedigree Dogs
Improving the Effectiveness of Animal Welfare Enforcement
Podcast
Appearances on BBC Politics and BBC news as well as a range of podcasts and conferences.