Vivien Life was born 30 May 1957. She was educated at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford, and in 1989, married Timothy Michael Dowse, CMG, having two daughters.

Life joined the Civil Service Fast Stream, 1979–81, and worked at the Treasury, 1981–88. She then entered the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1988 and her diplomatic career included: EU External Department, FCO, 1988–91; First Secretary, Washington [United States], 1992–96; Deputy Head: EU Department External, FCO, 1996–97; Latin America and Caribbean Department, FCO, 1997–99; Head, Consultancy Group, FCO Services, 1999–2003; Head, Strategy Group, FCO, 2003–06; Head, External Relations Group, Europe Directorate, FCO, 2006–08; Head, Enlargement SE and Wider Europe Group, FCO, 2008–10; Climate Change and Energy Department, FCO, 2010–12; Ambassador to Denmark, 2012–16; Director, Free Trade Agreements, Department for International Trade, 2016-2020; Director, Asia and Australasia Negotiations, Department for International Trade, 2020-22.