Our People | Meet Maria Darby-Walker

Ensuring women have their voices heard in the banking world is something close to the heart of Redwood’s newest Non-Executive Director, Maria Darby-Walker. As a mentor to senior women in finance, she is keen to champion their success and is looking forward to doing the same at Redwood. Here, she talks about her own journey, why having a sense of humour as a Board member is critical, and why the South of France is her dream destination.

What experience do you bring to Redwood Bank?

I have a background in financial services, PR, branding and marketing, so I’m always thinking about a company’s purpose, values and reputation. I also have experience of investor relations, so I’m experienced in managing relationships with shareholders and other significant stakeholders such as employees, media and regulators. I sit on three financial services boards as a Non-Executive Director.

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

Chairing a successful AGM at very short notice as my Chairman was ill. I was terrified but stepped up to the challenge and was happy to have moved out of my comfort zone! In other areas I mentor women who are advancing in their careers, and I take great delight in seeing them succeed.

Why did you choose to join a Challenger Bank?

I like organisations that think and behave differently, that want to try new things for customers and push back at traditional ways of doing business. I like the fact that Redwood wants to support SMEs and help with the levelling up agenda across the UK.

In your opinion, what are Redwood’s main strengths?

It's people – those who are passionate about the business and its customers are what makes the Bank tick. The relationships our brokers build will also be integral to the success of the Bank. 

What is going to have the biggest impact on banking and how people manage their money in the next five years?

I think technology and how we manage data will continue to transform the sector – we need to keep abreast of how the industry is adapting to younger generations who are used to transacting via technology instead of people. With this in mind, an ever-increasing focus on cyber security and areas such as financial crime will be key, to ensure our customers are safe doing business with us.

What do you think are the three most important qualities to have as a Board member?

You need to be a good listener; to be able to challenge constructively and to bring outside experience into the organisation – Board members are always learning and adapting.

What are you reading at the moment?

I am reading The Authority Gap by Mary Ann Sieghart on why women are held back by unseen bias at work and in their everyday lives. I am also on the third book in the Ken Follett Century Trilogy, The Edge of Eternity, which takes place at the time of the Cold War, and which feels particularly apt right now.

Describe your ideal weekend…

Heading to the South of France where I used to live to enjoy the sunshine, drink wine and enjoy French cuisine, as well as practice my French.

Who would you most like to go to dinner with?

I would like to go back in time and have dinner with my 20-year-old self and explain all the things I have learned along the way in my career and in life, and which I wish I had known then – not sure how much I would have listened though!

Find out more about our team