Heather was born in London in 1966. She lives in Hendon with her husband of 19 years, Jeremy. Heather is a professional bridge player, teacher and writer.

Heather's parents, Mike and Hazel Dunstan, both avid bridge players, introduced bridge to their teenage children, Heather, Cathy and Peter. The Dunstan children quickly absorbed the finer points of the game and enjoyed a high standard of Kitchen Bridge.

Heather soon graduated from the home game to the international scene. Her team from York University won the Portland Bowl and represented England in the Entente Cordiale in 1987. At York , she also acquired a Music degree and Heather still enjoys playing the piano.

At the age of 24, Heather began playing for the Ladies team. The highlight of Heather's international career occurred in 2008 at the Mind Sports Games in Beijing where the England women won the Gold medal. Heather also won the Bronze medal in the Olympiad in Istanbul in 2004, and won the World Mixed Teams in Rhodes in 1996 as well as three European Championships the first two (1997 & 1999) for Great Britain in partnership with Liz McGowan, and the last (2001) for England with Nicola Smith. In addition, she has won a record 13 Lady Milne trophies over the past 18 years; eight of them partnering Sally Anoyrkatis and more recently, five in partnership with Nicola.

Heather fondly remembers her early days playing at the Young Chelsea Bridge Club. One of the first times that she played at the Club, she was sitting by herself at the bar looking through the hands when a kind, bearded fellow sat down. He offered witty and insightful comments about a few perplexing hands. Heather nearly worked up the courage to ask him for a game but in the end was too timid. David Burn eventually became a close friend and semi-regular partner. Together, they won the prestigious Brighton Pairs in 2001.

Heather continued to forge friendships and hone her bridge skills at the YC. In addition to David, she met and formed a successful partnership with Rob Cliffe with whom she won the Grand Master Pairs in 2004 and 2006, and the Premier Grand Master Pairs in 2007 and 2008.

Undoubtedly, Heather's most significant and enduring partnership has been with Jeremy Dhondy. They married in 1992. The winners of the European Open mixed teams in Antalya 2007 and the Hubert Phillips Bowl (1997), Jeremy and Heather regularly play on several teams together.

In 2010, Heather was voted as a member of the EBU Board. She is also Chairman of the EBU Selection Committee.

Read Heather's, A day in the life of...

Last updated: Febuary 2012