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.