[1] She left school after taking her A-levels and worked as a secretary in Barry for two years before going to study international relations at the University of Aberdeen.

[3][4] In 2008, she was posted to Istanbul as Consul General and the Director of Trade and Investment,[2] serving under David Reddaway.

[9] Hand stayed there until 2012, when she was recalled to work on various assignments at the FCO, including the Arms Trade Treaty.

[4][10] From 2014 until her appointment in July 2017 as UK Ambassador to Angola, Hand worked as the Head of the Arms Export Policy Department.

[14] During her term she supported Lourenço's anti-corruption measures,[15][16] increased economic ties,[17][18] and facilitated an official visit by Prince Harry in 2019.