Anna Payne has worked in the UK civil service for 12 years, and since August 2014 has led the department's work around Child Online Safety. This involves providing the secretariat to the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS); assuring progress against the Prime Minister's commitments for Internet safety, announced in summer 2013; and supporting Ministers in the development of new Government policy in this area.

Anna’s previous positions at the Department for Culture Media and Sport have included conducting research & consultation in support of the previous review of the BBC's Royal Charter; staging national memorial services and providing support to humanitarian assistance to Britons affected in major disasters including the London bombings of 7th July 2005; and overseeing preparation for and delivery of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in Dorset, for which Anna was awarded an OBE in 2013. Anna lives in north London with her partner and young daughter.