Lucy Townsend

Global People Director

Lucy joined Oxitec in 2025 as Global People Director. With over 20 years in the People profession and a chartered member of the CIPD, she is passionate about supporting the people who make up Oxitec and the core Oxitec public health mission.

Lucy has worked in multiple sectors including engineering, automotive, start-ups, academia and the third sector. This has given her a well-rounded approach to people matters as well as experience of businesses with different financial and ownership models. She completed her initial degree at the University of Sussex before completing further qualifications in Human Resources and Occupational Psychology.

Lucy remains involved in causes she is passionate about and has been a trustee of Oxfordshire Mind since 2018. She lives in Oxford with her partner and usually a selection of Guinea Pigs.