After graduating in medicine from Glasgow University Lesley trained and worked as a GP but, on moving to Norfolk, she developed an interest in breast disease and retrained as a breast cancer specialist. She worked in the West Norfolk Breast Unit from 1994 until retiring in 2023.

Her career focussed on the early detection of breast cancer, but she also worked with the Association of Breast Clinicians on creating new medical training pathways to address the national shortage of breast specialists and as a mentor to local radiographers to increase their skills and qualify in mammographic interpretation.

She lives with her husband in Grimston and enjoys tennis and painting.