Marina was born in Paddington, grew up in Brent, went to school in Beckenham, studied at Brunel University in Uxbridge, ran a business in Camden and now lives in Barnet, where she is a councillor.

She is a councillor for Oakleigh ward on Barnet Council and chairs the council's Cleaner, Greener, Transport and Development Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Marina was Deputy Chairman of Chipping Barnet Conservative Association till June 2008.

Together with her Greek husband Zacharias, she ran a successful pan-European company, with an annual turnover of £4million. As Financial Director, Marina has a strong track record of negotiating in Europe on behalf of her UK clients. Her commercial experience gives her a genuine understanding of the pressures imposed on London's small businesses by too many regulations and directives coming from Brussels.

As a fundraiser, Marina gets results. In her own ward she increased fundraising from £183 to £4,000 in 12 months. She raised £60,000 as chairman of the Mayor of Barnet's Charity Appeal for MIND.

Marina is a school governor. Whilst at Brunel University she was Chairman of Communications on the Students Union Executive and Chairman of the Federation of Conservative students.

Outside politics and business, Marina enjoys spending time with family and friends - especially her three children who are all in further education. She even finds time to play the saxophone and also produces works of sculpture which are sold for charity.