After studies in Bonn and London, and a Master degree in economic history, politics and English, Elke Koessling-Winzer started work at the Australian Embassy in Bonn in 1989, specialising in Public Affairs and Cultural Relations.

In 1999 Elke started her own PR consultancy in Cologne, working for a major German production company. Amongst many other things, she organised and accompanied media trips to New York and London. During this time she also worked as a travel journalist and wrote three books.

In 2002 she finally relocated to England, after 20 years of travelling back and forth. She has worked in the Somerset County Council press office where she learnt a lot about potholes, and can still be seen at times conducting weddings in Somerset.