Sharron is the CEO of the Devon & Cornwall Training Providers Network, a not-for-profit charitable organisation that has been operating across Devon and Cornwall for the public benefit in the advancement of education and training for almost 20 years.
Representing more than 50 training providers Sharron sits on a number of Boards and Special Interest Groups to ensure that Apprenticeships, training and skills are part of any future planned developments across the South West. She actively campaigns to improve opportunities for those furthest from the job market and to support social mobility and levelling-up across the communities she works in.
She has held a number of key strategic roles at a senior level in both private and public sectors, and is the current joint-Chair of the AELP Regional Network (South). Sharron plays an active role in facilitating clear messaging to and from local and regional levels to national stakeholder groups.
She is actively involved in the continuing delivery of the Local Skills Improvement Plans for her region, and has run a number of masterclasses to support provider CPD and the raising of standards within FE. She is the Chair of the Plymouth SEND Employment Forum, which has increased the number of Supported Internship placements available to SEND young people across the city of Plymouth by 100%.
Currently delivering on the Apprenticeships Support Knowledge (ASK) programme across Plymouth and Torbay, Sharron has a wealth of sector knowledge, particularly around post-16 education, including Apprenticeships and higher-level vocational studies.
Sharron has recently visited Nepal and Morocco as part of two British Council projects to share best practice on skills, vocational training and Apprenticeships; during these visits she has met with, and presented to, Government Ministers, education leaders and business leaders.
Recognised in the Queens New Year’s Honours list 2021 for her work within the Apprenticeships and Skills sector, with the award of an MBE for services to Apprenticeships and Skills, Sharron is passionate about how skills and training, and specifically, Apprenticeships can support individuals and businesses evolve, develop and grow.
