Maria was appointed Chief Executive of Quantum Care in October 2003. Quantum Care, an Industrial & Provident Society, runs 26 residential care homes and other specialist services for older people in Hertfordshire. The company’s first care centre outside Hertfordshire opens this autumn in Harlow, Essex.

Maria’s background has primarily been with the not-for-profit sector and the NHS. She ran her own management consultancy company for eight years and is currently the chair of the NHS Ambulance Trust in Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire.