Maria Couchman (She/Her)
Director of Sector Skills
I bring over two decades of cross-sector experience to the role of Director of Sector Skills, with a strong track record in leading national education, skills development, and economic development programmes.
My career spans senior roles in public, private, and not-for-profit organisations including Bord Bia, Coillte Nature, Local Enterprise Offices/Enterprise Ireland and the Design & Crafts Council Ireland, where I delivered impactful training, skills, and innovation strategies aligned with industry and national policy.
A qualified project manager and strategic growth graduate, I’ve led EU and national initiatives across skills training, economic development, communications, design, biodiversity, and craft.
My role as Director of Skills is to lead the Sector Skills Programme—supporting our members with access to high-impact, inclusive learning opportunities. I particularly enjoy connecting stakeholders to identify shared challenges and deliver creative, community-focused solutions.
At The Wheel, I’m committed to ensuring the sector is equipped with the capabilities and networks to thrive. I look forward to developing and collaborating with peer and industry networks to co-create responsive, scalable training programmes.
Feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you’d like to collaborate or discuss sector training and skills development. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn.