Maria Chakraborty:

Role and responsibilities

With a focus on our staff through our ‘People First’ approach and the importance of an inclusive, supportive organisational culture, Maria’s role as Director of People and Culture replaces the previous role of Head of Human Resources.

Maria is responsible for the recruitment, operations, and wellbeing services across Devon County Council.

Biography

Following a 20-year career in Human Resources (HR) at Devon County Council, Maria was appointed Head of HR in May 2022, and Director of People and Culture in May 2023, after originally starting her working life in the private sector.

Maria has directly managed many of the teams within the HR Service, both from strategic and operational perspectives. She has been a Link Business Partner and delivered change through implementing programmes including the Council’s Human Resources Management System, iTrent.

Maria’s heart is very much in the south west having been born and brought up in Cornwall, and completing her degree at the University of Exeter, before starting her career.