Sarah has a first class joint honours degree in zoology and marine zoology from the University College of North Wales, an MSc in conservation from University College London and 30 years of professional experience as a marine biodiversity conservation expert. She has worked in various capacities for government departments, national and international NGOs and a biodiversity consultancy. Having been appointed to the IUCN Shark Specialist Group in 1991, she chaired it for many years and is now its vice-chair for international treaties.
Sarah founded the European Elasmobranch Association and its UK member, the Shark Trust (and is a trustee of the latter). She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to marine conservation in 2004, and a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation in 2005. She became principal scientist for the Save Our Seas Foundation in 2011.