shields was born in either 1985 or 1986, and was raised in twickenham. she has one brother. shields spent time at the family's countryside farm in yorkshire during the holidays. she was educated at the lady eleanor holles school. shields was exposed to motor racing from an early age as she often watched formula one with her father and competed in go-kart races. her childhood dream was to race in the series but realised that this was not feasible as she became older. shields studied biological sciences at the university of bristol. the first job she got upon graduating was with the financial services company ubs in the city of london.