Between 1977 and 1983 May worked at the Bank of England, and from 1985 to 1997 as a financial consultant and senior advisor in International Affairs at the Association for Payment Clearing Services [REF].
May served as a councillor for Durnsford ward[REF] on the London Borough of Merton from 1986 to 1994, where she was Chairman of Education (1988-90) and Deputy Group Leader and Housing Spokesman (1992-94).