Marie joined Common Purpose in 2000, becoming Chief Executive of Common Purpose UK in 2014. Marie has a track record at Common Purpose of bringing leaders together to tackle complex social problems, to understand collaborative working and to develop their ability to ‘Lead Beyond Authority’. She has extensive knowledge of leadership development especially in the experiential field; helping leaders learn through practice. 

Marie is experienced in transformational change programme design, management and delivery and has facilitated leadership programmes for emerging and senior UK leaders from the private, public and third sectors. Marie is highly skilled in developing trusting relationships within large and diverse groups that allow people to overcome differences, innovate and create new and challenging partnerships. She led 20:20, Common Purpose’s flagship UK leadership course, for five years. She brings passion and commitment to developing programme participants to be the best they can be for the benefit of their organisations and wider society. 

Her work to date includes the planning and delivery of a Celtic Nations Open Ground for senior leaders from the three devolved administrations - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - to look at social and economic success. She has led senior NHS leaders through a Collaborative Simulation Process with stakeholders from across the health and social care sectors.  

Marie currently leads on our Legacy work with young people and is particularly proud that in the UK we have delivered Legacy programmes in 12 locations since the very first programme in March 2020. 

Before joining Common Purpose, Marie held a variety of communications, business development and community engagement roles with Marketing Manchester, the Countryside Agency and Sport England.  
 
Marie is originally from County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland but has lived in Manchester for nearly all of her working life. Educated at Queen's University Belfast, Marie also has an MA in Comparative Literature from the University of Manchester. She has three children - her son has transformed her into a football fan and she is now a Manchester City FC season ticket holder.