Maggie began life as a contemporary dancer, taught dance, became an ILEA dance adviser, a Head of Department in a large comprehensive school, became a Director at the Arts Council of England, Director at the Millennium Dome and is currently a Civil Service Commissioner and CEO and Director of The Experience Corps Ltd.

Maggie serves, in a voluntary capacity on a number of charities including Arts Education, Brit School, Rambert Dance Trust, Sadler's Wells Trust and Roundhouse Trust as well as Chairman of the Science Museum Dana Centre and Trustee of NMSI and Chairman of NRDC, a research centre at the Institute of Education.

Commenting on her appointment, Maggie said "Young people and the arts have been central to all that I do and I was delighted to become Chairman of NYMT in 2001. NYMT is important to me because providing opportunities for talented young people to participate in music theatre of the highest quality is a wonderful way for them to realise their dreams. Every time I see one of our workshops or productions I marvel at the creativity both on and off stage and of the talent we have in the UK".