Managing Director
CAA International, UK CAA
Maria has been working for CAAi/UK CAA since February 2011 becoming Managing Director in May 2015. She is responsible for setting the long term strategic vision for CAAi as part of the International Group of the UK CAA to sustainably raise global aviation standards. Maria is fully accountable for CAAi’s financial performance and management (100 FTEs) and for establishing and maintaining senior stakeholder engagement and key partnerships.
Summary of experience
28 years of experience in the aviation sector with strong focus on aviation regulations, international technical cooperation and capacity building programmes, business development, privatisations, finance, project management and client relationship as well as with strong technical background. Fresh approach to challenging business environments, commercially orientated and with good negotiation skills. Able to motivate, develop and manage multi-disciplinary teams to deliver the highest performance standards with a high level of communication skills with clients, customers and staff.
Maria worked previously for Deloitte’s Air Transport Department leading programmes on Air Navigation Service Provision for the AENA privatisation process and Project Director for the PMO office of several greenfield airports.
Previously Maria worked for Ferrovial Airports in the identification and analysis of new opportunities and partners on airport privatisations around the world. Maria became Business Development Director at Belfast City Airport in 2003 after the successful acquisition by Ferrovial of this asset.
Education
BSc Aeronautical Engineering
MSc in Airports and Air Navigation Services
Diploma in Company Direction by the Institute of Directors (IoD), London
Non-Executive Director Development Programme Certificate (University of Chester, University of York)
Languages
English – full proficiency
Spanish – native
Italian, Portuguese, French, Dutch – basic/medium level