Jen Elford
Chipping Norton,Oxfordshire
Summary
A senior manager with experience in research and policy and well regarded for being “a safe pair of hands” as a project manager. The producer of the groundbreaking 2024 Westminster reception ‘Decarbonising the Food System and Improving Public Health' and other quality events. Now available on a freelance basis.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Head of Policy & External Affairs
Vegetarian Society UK
Manchester
06.2022 - 03.2025
- Conducted policy research and analysis for multiple consultations and policy briefings including UK government food procurement (2022) and HoL Obesity Inquiry (2024), and other food sustainability topics. All available at Submissions and Policy briefings
- Conceptualised and delivered HoC event ‘Decarbonising the Food System: Denmark's Plant-based Plan’ to a full house of stakeholders, including Food Minister Daniel Zeichner, MPs and local government representatives (Nov 2024). Parliamentary Events
- Developed public food campaign design for Fix My Lunch (2023), focusing on low carbon plant-based food in public catering.
- Negotiated research commissions with London University and Oxford University teams on sustainable food practices (July-Nov 2024).
- Served as public affairs liaison for various events, including Defra, Westminster Forum, APPGs, from 2022 to 2025.
- Contributed to UKPBFA technical committee’s submissions for SACN/COT Review on plant-milk (published July 2024).
- Authored diverse social media content and communications, including COP commentaries and campaign updates from 2022 to 2024.
- Acted as lead spokesperson for media inquiries across major outlets such as The Times and Guardian.
Head of Research and Information Services
Vegetarian Society UK
Manchester
01.2010 - 05.2022
- Led research team in producing diverse resources on food sustainability and plant-based diets including leading on NHS Information Standard accreditation, involving user panels.
- Facilitated stakeholder focus groups using online platforms alongside YouGov to enhance engagement and evaluation.
- Researched, authored, and presented policy papers on GM foods, vaccine science, and palm oil certification from 2015 to 2022.
- Designed and managed international speaker programme for KIN event hosted by BBC's Tom Heap in 2015.
- Developed Vegetarian Eatwell Guide published under open government licence in collaboration with BDA plant-based group in 2018.
- Commissioned YouGov Public Segmentation Report in 2017 and Nat Cen BSA report Are We Eating Less Meat? featured on front page of The Times in 2016.
- Scripted and published film-based training resources on plant-based catering with Upskill platform in 2021.
- Served as lead spokesperson on health and diet, engaging with media figures like Michael Mosley and Simon Fairlie.
People Relations Manager
Royal Voluntary Service HQ
Steventon, Oxfordshire
03.2007 - 01.2010
- Service research and volunteer evaluation, case study production. Design and delivery of national awards scheme.
Area Trainer/Manager
Oxfam Trading Division
Oxford
02.2004 - 02.2007
- Manager, volunteer team leader and coordinator, area training responsibilities.
Department Manager
Blackwell's
Oxford
04.2001 - 01.2004
- Buyer, team manager, admin systems maintenance, and in-house events coordinator.
Training evaluation manager
Oxford College of Further Education
07.1999 - 03.2001
- Programme evaluation of NVQ, quality assurance programme. Focus groups, qualitative case study collection, impact reporting. Database management and data reporting.
Education
Degree - Philosophy and European Studies
University of Sheffield
3 A Levels - English, Biology, Music
Townsend CofE School
10 O Levels - incl. maths
Skills
Policy briefing research and writing
Campaigns design and delivery
Stakeholder research and evaluation
Events organising
Communications and social media
Type Form
SurveyMonkey
SNAP statistical survey software
MS Project Manager Software
Productivity applications: GTD, Trello, Mondaycom
CLAIT Microsoft Excel cert
Team player
People-centred approach
Proficient project manager
Located within easy reach of London & Oxford
References available on request
Certification
- Broadcast media trained Media Trust (2010)
- DataTV Manchester (2023)
- Content Design CDLondon (2020)
- Effective Briefing RT Training Manchester (2016)
- Team Management & Coaching BHT Training (2015-19)
Interests
Growing food, live music, walking, reading, pubs, filmmaking.
Voluntary experience
- Doughnut Economics Group, Bampton, Oxfordshire, 2025
- Lockdown Community Quiz Night, organiser/host, 2020 - 2024
- Longsight Alley Gardening Project, Coordinator, Manchester, 2019 - 2021
- Manchester For Europe campaign, volunteer, 2018 - 2020
- Oxfam Make Poverty History schools events, organiser, 2004
- Dragonfly Housing Cooperative, Founding Member, 2001
Timeline
Head of Policy & External Affairs
Vegetarian Society UK
06.2022 - 03.2025
Head of Research and Information Services
Vegetarian Society UK
01.2010 - 05.2022
People Relations Manager
Royal Voluntary Service HQ
03.2007 - 01.2010
Area Trainer/Manager
Oxfam Trading Division
02.2004 - 02.2007
Department Manager
Blackwell's
04.2001 - 01.2004
Training evaluation manager
Oxford College of Further Education
07.1999 - 03.2001
3 A Levels - English, Biology, Music
Townsend CofE School
Degree - Philosophy and European Studies
University of Sheffield