Alessia was the former Head of Data for Research, and Data Sharing Legislation Unit, within the Office of the Chief Statistician of the Scottish Government. In this role Alessia was instrumental in delivering several rounds of ADR investment in Scotland, including securing the latest funding cycle 2026/2031. Alessia was there at the beginning, and was part of ADR becoming a vehicle for delivery change, and partnering with government. She is currently Interim Head of Information Governance and Business Management Unit, a position within the Scottish Government’s Agricultural Digital and Data Division (Directorate General for Net Zero), leading on digital strategy and governance. 

She has previously worked in a wide range of high profile policy areas: including justice, constitutional reform, transport, fisheries, and health and social care. Alessia has also led major cross government initiatives such as the Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) response to national emergencies, the development of new scrutiny and public service bodies and new national performance framework. Her professional interests centre on resilience planning, crisis management, and the ethical, effective use of data to support evidence based decision making, alongside strong engagement with stakeholders across government, academia, and international organisations to address complex societal challenges. 

Alessia is well placed in her new role to influence improved access to and quality of agricultural and environmental data and ensure it is visible, valued and used to shape evidence-based policy and impactful research.