Sharon Cooper
Head of Organisational Development, Inclusive Employers
Sharon joined Inclusive Employers in July 2021 and brought with her 21 years of implementing meaningful learning interventions. With over 11 years experience of working in the Housing Sector in the UKs first Mutual Housing Association, Sharon had led on various innovative cultural and leadership programmes all designed to help colleagues be their best self at work and deliver the best service possible to their customers.
Sharon has a specific interest in inclusive leadership, performance management, mental health, menopause support in the workplace and Imposter Syndrome and had a proven track record of highlighting the importance of these areas, implementing practical solutions which connect with hearts and minds and achieve successful outcomes.
What do you enjoy about your role at Inclusive Employers?
Building relationships with members and clients, really getting to know them, their organisations and working with them to create inclusive cultures. I really enjoy and get a lot of personal satisfaction from working with people to understand gaps, find solutions and implement meaningful interventions.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
I think it has to be the work I have done around gender equality. From increasing female apprentices in trade roles to talking about periods in the workplace! It amazes me that 50% of the workforce have periods and will go through the menopause but we simply don’t talk about it. So, I’m very proud of the work I lead on raising awareness of menopause in the workplace and setting up a support group which really became a safe place for women to support women.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
“Go for that promotion!” I was an L&D Advisor and there was an opportunity for a secondment to L&D Manager, I simply wouldn’t have applied if my colleagues hadn’t pushed me into it.
It was very challenging at the time, but it opened up a world of opportunity and learning which changed my working life forever. I always recommend people to go for it, even if you are not successful there is always learning to be gained.
Tell us something about you that we might not know.
As the eldest of 11 children (I know!) I have mastered the art of compromise and conflict resolution!
