Expert on handwriting, particularly of children learning to write. She was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Reading for her work on how models and teaching methods affect children’s handwriting.

She has written widely on the subject: books include Handwriting of the Twentieth Century: from copperplate to computer (Routledge, 1999) and Better Handwriting with G.S.E. Briem (Teach Yourself series, 1994).

Her large group of typeface families, Sassoon, were developed by Adrian Williams of Club Type.