Marina Yannakoudakis was elected as a Conservative Member of the European Parliament in June 2009. She sits on the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

She was born in Paddington, grew up in Brent, went to school in Beckenham, studied at Brunel University in Uxbridge, ran a business in Camden and now lives in Barnet, where she is a councillor for Oakleigh ward. Since her election she has announced that she will remain a member of Barnet Council until the end of her term in 2010.

Marina was Deputy Chairman of Chipping Barnet Conservative Association until June 2008.

Together with her Greek husband Zacharias, she ran a successful pan-European company, with an annual turnover of £4million. As Financial Director, Marina has a strong track record of negotiating in Europe on behalf of her UK clients. Her commercial experience gives her a genuine understanding of the pressures imposed on London's small businesses by too many regulations and directives coming from Brussels.

Marina is a school governor. Whilst at Brunel University she was Chairman of Communications on the Students Union Executive and Chairman of the Federation of Conservative students.

Outside politics and business, Marina enjoys spending time with family and friends - especially her three children who are all in further education. She even finds time to play the saxophone and also produces works of sculpture which are sold for charity.