Thinking strategically and enabling innovation particularly in high tech and healthcare are Maire’s major strengths and she has extensive board level experience in both the private and public sectors.

She was most recently Director of Technology & Product Innovation on the board of the NHS Institute and Director of IP in the Department of Health. Here, she successfully implemented a number of initiatives at the public/private interface bringing new ideas into healthcare. These included establishing the NHS innovation network throughout England and a training hub for medical devices.

Prior to this, Maire was Chief Executive of the commercialisation company and business incubator at the University of Manchester where in five years 23 start up companies were created.

She has been an advisor to the Premier of South Australia on the commercial opportunities for the State in biotechnology. She trained in science and held a variety of senior roles in scientific research, strategic marketing and business development in the pharmaceutical industry.