Maria joined the company as HR Director in September 2008 from Transport for London where she had been Group HR Director for just under two years.  

Prior to working in the public sector, Maria had worked for 20 years in the automotive industry with Ford Motor Company and worked in the UK, Germany and the US. Maria held the position of HR Director for Jaguar and Land Rover for four years, a global role with enormous challenge. In this position she developed a People Strategy that won the 2006 National Business Award for Business Improvement through People. During her time at Jaguar and Land Rover, the organisation was recognised as Employer of the Year by Working Families for its flexible working practices and holistic approach to equality and inclusion.

Maria graduated from Oxford University in 1986 with a degree in Psychology and Physiology.   She runs a Brownie Pack in Central London.