Dame Sharon White

Named the second Most Powerful Black British Person 2019 by the Powerlist, and a Dame in the 2020 Honours List, Sharon White, has played a hugely influential role in business and the civil service. Backed by her extensive career across the public and private sector, Sharon has secured her reputation as a transformative leader, responsible for the continued success of Ofcom and most recently John Lewis. A chameleon of the corporate world, Sharon has persevered, despite diversity barriers, and thrived in every role she has taken to, from the World Bank to the British Embassy. When booked for speaking engagements, Sharon shares her inspiring life story in addition to her implementable advice on business leadership, corporate culture, and inclusivity in the workplace.

Since 2020, Sharon has been at the forefront of retailer John Lewis’ success, despite a declining high street, Sharon has spearheaded the national brand to an innovative and adaptable future. As the first woman to be named Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, White has made an undeniable positive impact and has impressed with her unfaltering leadership and resilience. Prior to her move into retail, Sharon was the Chief Executive of Ofcom for four years, where she was responsible for running the media and telecoms regulator through a range of industry challenges.

A graduate from the University of Cambridge, Sharon, who received a degree in economics, carved a long and prominent career as a civil servant. Working her way through the ranks, Sharon started her professional life at the Treasury before moving to roles at 10 Downing Street in the policy unit and as the Director General for the Department of International Development. Expanding on her time in the public sector, as a speaker, Sharon shares insight from the upper echelons of governance, as a non-political leader. In 2013 she was named as the Second Permanent Secretary for HM Treasury, the first black person to be positioned in the role, a testament to her resilience and leadership.

Having dedicated over three decades to her varied and impressive career, Sharon is now highly sought after to provide keynote talks on a breadth of topics. Having been regularly named amongst the most powerful black Britons, Sharon is able to discuss how she overcame race and gender barriers to be a national leader, and how businesses can improve diversity and champions inclusion. Furthermore, her experienced knowledge of leading in challenging circumstances, supporting corporate growth and developing future-proofed strategies is hugely valuable to both individuals and corporate-wide.