Maria Clarke

Maria says her purpose is to help every business thrive by thinking like entrepreneurs. A highly respected commercial leader with a career spanning senior roles across the media industry, Maria founded JCDecaux UK’s Business Growth division, where she built a multi-million-pound revenue engine, outperforming the media market while also widening access to Out-of-Home advertising from diverse communities. Her impact extends beyond commercial success. Maria created Nurture, supporting over 550 start-ups to scale through media investment and expertise, including 9 unicorns working with brands including Starling Bank, GoCardless, Monday.com, Bumble and Strava, a hugely successful programme which is now running in 13 markets.  She conceived the Reach Programme, an initiative championing underrepresented communities, which has since partnered with Google Black Founders and the Diversity Standards Collective. The programmes has been developed by her team, building on her original vision. Maria's work actively contributes to communities. Through JCDecaux’s values-led model, advertising funds vital public infrastructure with 50% of JCDecaux's revenues going back into the community, funding services from bus shelters to life-saving defibrillators. Maria’s team delivers exceptional growth, outperforming the advertising market while also giving back to society. She is recognised by colleagues, customers and peers as a visionary and purpose-driven leader, driving both business success and societal change.