Samantha Barber

Samantha Barber specialises in leading on non-financial risk in the Boardroom, as well as coaching and advising Senior Executives in a range of organisations.

Samantha brings creative thinking and a sharp focus to corporate strategy, including leadership and performance, governance, non-financial risk, investor and stakeholder relations, remuneration, C-suite succession planning, digital transformation, sustainability, culture, and people.

Samantha has combined a career in a range of Executive and Non-Executive roles, working across the UK and internationally. Key positions she has held include Non-Executive Director of global energy company Iberdrola headquartered in Bilbao, Spain for more than 13 years. As Chair of the Board Committee responsible for governance, compliance, non-financial risk and ESG, she helped drive and shape Iberdrola’s role as a purpose-led global energy business. She was also a member of the Board Executive Committee for four years. She was a Non-Executive Director at the UK utility Scottish Water for six years, Chairing its Remuneration and Nominations Committee and supporting succession planning and appointment process for the new CEO. She was Chair of the Scottish Ensemble, a critically acclaimed string orchestra, guiding the company through a period of significant transformation.

Previously, Samantha served as Vice-Chair of the business-led 2020 leadership group on Climate Change in Scotland for six years and has served on numerous not-for-profit Boards over the last 25 years.

Most recently, Samantha spent nearly three years as a Managing Director with global consultancy firm Accenture, where she advised on all aspects of Board and Executive Leadership, Culture, Strategic Alignment and Performance with clients across sectors and internationally.

Samantha has also acted as a Strategic Adviser and Mentor for several organisations.

Earlier in her career, Samantha was a Policy Adviser to the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in the European Parliament in Brussels for four years. She was also Chief Executive of Scottish Business in the Community for nine years.