“Every challenge and shift has been a learning experience” – 60 seconds with Helen Maher, Regional Director for Ireland, Deliveroo

What are your main priorities and goals in your role?

My first job was in hospitality, working across commercial roles in major hotel chains in Ireland. It was an invaluable foundation – teaching me strategic planning, commercial acumen, and real-time problem-solving in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment. Those early experiences shaped my leadership style and instilled an appreciation for industries built on delivering exceptional consumer experiences. That passion led me to travel tech, where I spent over a decade at Expedia Group in senior commercial roles, driving sustained revenue growth and optimising market performance.

What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?

I’ve always been drawn to industries that combine technology, consumer behaviour, and operational excellence. Similar to working travel tech, Deliveroo is about leveraging innovation to create seamless, high-impact experiences at scale that essentially make our lives easier. Deliveroo sits at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and something fundamental to our busy modern lives – being able to order meals, groceries, and retail products directly to your door when you need them. Being part of a company that’s transforming how people eat and shop is really rewarding.

What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?

Driving innovation and growing our presence in the Irish market, within its thriving tech sector – has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. I’m incredibly proud of the team that we have built here in Ireland and the partnerships that we’ve developed with both international and local businesses. A recent milestone has been launching our first partnership with a major grocery and retailer in Ireland through our exclusive collaboration with M&S. It’s a game-changer for consumers, bringing a new level of convenience to grocery shopping. This is just the beginning – on-demand grocery is evolving rapidly, and Deliveroo will continue to shape its future in Ireland.

Career-wise, would you do anything differently?

Every challenge and shift has been a learning experience, so I wouldn’t change my career path. However, I’d encourage my younger self to embrace risk earlier. The most significant opportunities often come from stepping into the unknown, and some of my biggest professional breakthroughs have come from making bold moves. Take the bigger job, move countries, gain as much experience as you can – you win or you learn.