Byford studied dentistry at King's College London, graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree in 1991.[1] That year, she joined the Royal Air Force (RAF).[2] After a career in dentistry, she became Head of the Personnel Division at HQ Surgeon-General in 2011.[2] Following deployment as commander of Medical Joint Force Support in Afghanistan in 2014, she became Head of Future Healthcare at HQ Surgeon-General in 2015 and Head of RAF Medical Services in 2019.[3][4] She was appointed Honorary Dental Surgeon to the Queen (QHDS) in 2015.[2]
In February 2020 Byford was appointed Air Secretary with effect from 24 February 2020.[5] She was involved in a RAF recruitment campaign to promote racial and gender diversity in the service, which Sky News alleged discriminated against white men.[6] She retired from the RAF in July 2023.[7]
