Maria Darby-Walker
Maria has over 25 years’ experience advising Boards and executives on strategic, reputational and risk management issues. She has advised the Boards of the Financial Conduct Authority, mining group Rio Tinto, and frozen foods company Iglo / Birds Eye, as well as playing a pivotal role in the Cadbury defence team against Kraft’s hostile takeover.
She has broad international experience having directed stakeholder relations for Outer Mongolia’s biggest mining project, Oyu Tolgoi, as well as communications programmes across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Australia for Cadbury and across Europe for Iglo Group during the horse-meat scandal.
She coaches executives to build their communication skills – to improve their impact, minimise reputational risk and help them engage effectively with investors and analysts, government and regulatory stakeholders, NGOs, local communities and employees.