Beginning her professional journey with a mathematics degree, Sharon joined Unilever's graduate training program as an accountant. Yet, her dream of coming to INSEAD, the Business School for the World, had been nurtured for years after reading about the school in a magazine. In 1993, she decided to pursue an MBA at INSEAD, marking the inception of a diverse and remarkable career that reflected her commitment to making a difference. After graduating, she ventured into the field of consulting and relocated to India for a while.
Sharon's career weaved through retail, private equity, and boardrooms, with roles ranging from Finance Director at John Lewis, a British brand of high-end department stores operating throughout the UK, to chairing S.T. Dupont, a French luxury goods company. Beyond corporate boundaries, her commitment to environmental sustainability became evident. As a vegetarian and advocate, she recognised the need to bring her values into her professional pursuits.
While a trustee at Shelter, a UK-based homelessness charity, Sharon was offered the role of Audit Chair on the Board of Network Rail, the public body that owns and operates the British rail network. Here, she spearheaded the creation of the Environmental Sustainability Committee, addressing eco-friendly mass transit solutions and bridging the gap between personal values and corporate actions.
Sharon's commitment to social impact is also evident in her roles as a founding member of INDEVOR, the INSEAD Organization for Social Impact. Currently engaged with Chapter Zero, a Cambridge University initiative, she educates Non-Executive Directors on climate change literacy, ensuring its integration into decision-making processes for a sustainable business future.
Her career, nothing short of a tapestry woven with diverse experiences, strategic interests, and a desire to contribute meaningfully, has always been guided by the perspective of "What doors will this job open?" rather than a linear progression. Believing in INSEAD's potential to influence sustainability at the boardroom level, Sharon fosters connections between alumni and current students passionate about sustainability. Through both her not-for-profit and non-executive director roles, Sharon continues to inspire and drive positive change as a force for good in the business world.
