Meet our new Skills & Policy Director Maria Davison

As we’ve highlighted on the previous page, Maria recently joined the team to drive forward the Chamber’s skills and policy work. We sat down with Maria to find out more about her and how she’ll be supporting Chamber

An Introduction to yourself and your background:

My journey began with a degree in French & Business Studies from the University of Hull. A highlight of my degree was spending a year teaching in France. I started my career on a graduate retail management scheme, which helped me develop essential skills such as customer service, resilience, and adaptability as I was often moved throughout the country.

Seven years later, I took a leap into the unknown and transitioned into Further Education, starting in the Midlands and eventually moving to my current home on the Wirral. Over the next 20 years, I dedicated myself to education and workforce development. For the past five years, I've been a consultant for the Chamber, working with businesses of all sizes to create sustainable employment opportunities and foster economic growth. This new role allows me to build on the work I've already been to ensure we are the voice of business and that our workforce is equipped with the skills needed for the future.

What are you looking forward to in your new role?

I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to drive change in the skills landscape. With rapid advancements in technology and the evolving nature of work, it's crucial to ensure our workforce is not only prepared but that our businesses thrive in this new environment. I'm looking forward to working with our members to identify their needs and partnering with others to develop innovative solutions that address these challenges.

What do you get up to outside of work?

What is your role at the

As the Skills & Policy Director at the Chamber, my primary responsibility is to develop and implement strategies that enhance the skills of our workforce. I also work closely with the British Chambers of Commerce to influence policy decisions that benefit our members. This involves collaborating with businesses, educational institutions, and government bodies

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the great outdoors. Our lockdown dog, Rocco, regularly takes me for walks, and we love discovering new places together, especially dog-friendly restaurants and coffee shops! I also attend a regular yoga class, which keeps me active and is a great antidote to hours spent at the computer screen.

If you could go back and pass on one piece of advice to your younger self, what would that be?

I have no regrets; life has a funny way of working out despite many twists and turns. I would tell my younger self to lighten up and not let worrying about the small things distract from bigger goals and potential achievements. I’ve learned to embrace change and be open to new experiences, hopefully this will help me adapt to the new role!

I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to drive change in the skills landscape. With rapid advancements in technology and the evolving nature of work, it's crucial to ensure our workforce is not only prepared but that our businesses thrive in this new environment.