Sharon E. Whitehead
Castleford,West Yorkshire
Summary
Strategic Learning, Talent and Organisational Development Executive with 30 years' experience in workforce transformation and leadership development within complex, regulated environments. Skilled in designing and implementing enterprise-wide Learning and Leadership Academies that align capabilities with organisational strategies. Experienced in fostering leadership pipelines and talent growth across diverse sectors, supporting organisations of varying sizes and managing significant budgets. Committed to enhancing organisational performance and creating inclusive cultures.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Group Head of Learning & Development
NG Bailey
Leeds
03.2022 - 07.2026
- Led the Group Learning and Development function, shaping learning, leadership, talent and organisational development strategies that supported the organisation's growth ambitions and 2030 vision.
- Developed the Group Learning Strategy, establishing a high-performing L&D function aligned to the 2030 business vision.
- Created a suite of Leadership and Learning Academies, strengthening leadership capability, succession and future skills across the Group.
- Launched Future Executive programmes to accelerate leadership succession and organisational readiness.
- Oversaw leadership development, succession planning, performance management, apprenticeships, early careers, digital capability, and organisational effectiveness for a diverse operational workforce.
- Embedded a CMI-accredited leadership framework supporting 500+ leaders, achieving NPS scores consistently above 90.
- Reshaped talent and succession processes, creating clearer career pathways, and improving leadership bench strength.
- Transformed the Dayforce LMS and digital learning ecosystem, increasing learner engagement by over 70%.
- Introduced AI-enabled learning technologies, improving development quality, reach and efficiency.
- Established graduate, apprenticeship, and early careers pathways, recognised with the Princess Royal Training Award.
- Implemented a Group-wide digital capability framework to support future workforce requirements.
- Introduced learning governance and analytics to strengthen workforce planning and decision-making.
- Managed a £1.2m budget and achieved cost efficiencies while enhancing capability development.
- Trusted executive coach and adviser to senior leaders across the Group.
- NG Bailey is the UK's largest independent family-owned engineering, construction and services organisation, employing approximately 4,000 people across its Built Environment, Freedom and IT Services divisions.
Head of People Development
Mabey Hire Ltd
02.2020 - 03.2022
- Developed and implemented the organisation-wide people development strategy, aligning capability with business growth and operational priorities.
- Launched a Virtual Learning Academy, significantly increasing access to development opportunities across the workforce.
- Delivered leadership development and executive coaching programmes, enhancing leadership capability and ensuring succession readiness.
- Introduced competency and performance frameworks, strengthening accountability, capability, and career progression.
- Increased compliance to 98% through targeted capability interventions and stronger governance.
- Implemented a new LMS/CMS platform, improving learning insight, workforce planning, and reporting.
- Established graduate, onboarding and apprenticeship pathways to support future talent pipelines.
- Appointed on a fixed-term basis to strengthen leadership capability and workforce competency frameworks, then permanently appointed to lead learning, development, and organisational development strategy across the business.
- Mabey Hire is a leading temporary works specialist providing engineered solutions to the construction, infrastructure and civil engineering sectors. The organisation employs approximately 450 people across a national operational network.
Head of Learning & Development
Centrica Storage Ltd
11.2015 - 12.2019
- Developed learning, leadership, talent and organisational development strategy to support business transformation in a highly regulated and safety-critical environment.
- Led the transformation of Learning and Development, including Workday implementation and modernisation of the learning infrastructure.
- Established CSL Development Academy to align technical, professional, and leadership development with future business needs.
- Strengthened leadership capability and succession planning through targeted management development programmes.
- Led behavioural and cultural change initiatives during a significant operational transformation.
- Introduced talent, succession and competency frameworks, reducing key-person dependency, and strengthening workforce resilience.
- Enhanced governance and competency assurance across technical and operational populations.
- Reduced learning costs by 30% through commercial optimisation and greater use of digital learning solutions.
- Centrica Storage Limited operates nationally significant gas storage and processing infrastructure supporting UK energy security and the transition towards future energy technologies.
Alliance Learning & Development Business Partner
Balfour Beatty Rail
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Developed Learning & Development strategy for Rail Alliance to align training initiatives with organisational goals.
- Designed and delivered leadership and behavioural change programmes to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
- Project-managed the development of a major training facility.
- Secured NSARE accreditation to enhance training quality and credibility within the industry.
L&D Business Partner / HR Manager
Amey plc
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Designed and delivered Leadership Academy programmes, enhancing leadership capabilities for senior leaders and directors.
- Developed ILM-accredited leadership development programmes to cultivate effective leadership skills.
- Supported HR transformation and systems implementation, aligning HR practices with organisational goals across UK and international operations.
Head of Learning & Development (FTC)
Irwin Mitchell LLP
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Introduced leadership and talent development programmes to enhance managerial capabilities across the organisation.
- Implemented a new performance management framework to align employee performance with strategic objectives.
- Delivered executive coaching to prepare Equity Partner succession candidates for leadership roles.
Operational Training Manager / OD Consultant
East Coast Rail
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Managed operational training and organisational development teams to align training initiatives with strategic organisational goals.
- Developed succession planning and management development programmes to strengthen internal talent pipeline.
- Led leadership capability reviews to enhance submissions for Department for Transport.
Training & Development Manager / Consultant
HBOS
01.1994 - 01.2005
- Managed training teams and budgets, overseeing performance reporting to drive training effectiveness.
- Introduced competency frameworks and balanced scorecard approaches to align training initiatives with organisational goals.
- Designed and delivered leadership, behavioural, and compliance development programmes that enhanced team skills and ensured regulatory adherence.
- Progressed through increasingly senior roles to Head of Training & Development.
Education
BA (Hons) - Education & Training
University of Huddersfield
Advanced Certificate - Human Resources Management
CIPD
Organisational Design & Development -
CIPD
Senior Practitioner Coaching & Mentoring -
ILM Level 7
Skills
- Leadership & Learning Academies
- Leadership strategy
- Succession planning
- Executive coaching
- Organisational transformation
- Cultural change
- Future skills
- Digital learning
- Early careers
- Learning
Custom
Commercially focused Learning, Talent and Organisational Development Executive with 30 years' experience leading workforce transformation, leadership capability and organisational change across complex, multi-site and highly regulated environments. Proven track record of designing, building and delivering enterprise-wide Learning and Leadership Academies that align people's capability with future-focused organisational strategies. Experienced in creating scalable development ecosystems that strengthen leadership pipelines, accelerate talent growth, build critical future skills, and support sustainable business performance. Brings extensive cross-sector experience across Engineering, Rail, Financial Services, Banking, Oil and Gas, Facilities Management and Legal Services, successfully transferring and scaling best practice across diverse organisations and workforce populations. Experienced in supporting organisations ranging from 500 to 18,000 employees and managing budgets exceeding £1 million. Trusted by Executive Teams, Boards and family-owned businesses to shape the People Strategy, influence decision-making and deliver measurable outcomes. Known for combining strategic vision with operational excellence to develop high-performing teams, modern learning environments and impactful leadership programmes that improve organisational capability, engagement and performance. Passionate about creating inclusive cultures where people can thrive, and businesses are equipped to meet future challenges with confidence.
Accomplishments
- Designed and led enterprise-wide Learning and Leadership Academies aligned to organisational growth and transformation strategies.
- Developed leadership and executive development programmes supporting over 500 leaders, consistently achieving 90+ NPS scores.
- Built talent, succession, and career frameworks that strengthen leadership pipelines and reduce organisational risk.
- Created Future Executive, Graduate, Apprenticeship and Early Careers programmes to support long-term workforce capability.
- Led large-scale LMS and digital learning transformations, increasing learner engagement.
Timeline
Group Head of Learning & Development
NG Bailey
03.2022 - 07.2026
Head of People Development
Mabey Hire Ltd
02.2020 - 03.2022
Head of Learning & Development
Centrica Storage Ltd
11.2015 - 12.2019
Alliance Learning & Development Business Partner
Balfour Beatty Rail
01.2014 - 01.2015
L&D Business Partner / HR Manager
Amey plc
01.2010 - 01.2014
Head of Learning & Development (FTC)
Irwin Mitchell LLP
01.2009 - 01.2010
Operational Training Manager / OD Consultant
East Coast Rail
01.2005 - 01.2009
Training & Development Manager / Consultant
HBOS
01.1994 - 01.2005
BA (Hons) - Education & Training
University of Huddersfield
Advanced Certificate - Human Resources Management
CIPD
Organisational Design & Development -
CIPD
Senior Practitioner Coaching & Mentoring -
ILM Level 7