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Sharon Thompson serves as the Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, a role she has held since May 2023, making her the first person from a Black or Asian background to occupy this position in the city’s history. Her journey from experiencing homelessness as a teenager to becoming a prominent political figure fuels her dedication to social change. As a popular speaker, Sharon addresses topics such as political engagement, homelessness, housing, women in leadership, and the representation of Black, Asian, and ethnic minorities in leadership roles.
Sharon’s career began in housing, where she worked as an Assistant Housing Officer and Administrative Assistant at Optima Community Association in 2001. Her personal experiences as a tenant across various housing sectors provided her with a unique perspective on housing challenges. In 2010, she founded Cohesive Consultancy, serving as its Managing Director, and also worked as an Acting Ward Support Officer at Birmingham City Council. Her commitment to public service was further demonstrated when she became a Magistrate in 2009.
In 2014, Sharon was elected as a Councillor for Birmingham City Council, representing the Soho Ward. She quickly assumed leadership roles, serving as the local authority’s first Ambassador for addressing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping in 2016 and as Cabinet Advisor for Homelessness in 2017. By 2018, she was appointed to the Cabinet with responsibility for Birmingham City Council’s housing portfolio, overseeing the largest housing portfolio in UK local government.
As a speaker, Sharon delves into her personal journey and professional experiences to shed light on critical social issues. She discusses the importance of political engagement, drawing from her own path into politics and encouraging others to participate actively in civic life. On homelessness and housing, she combines her personal experiences and professional expertise to advocate for effective housing strategies and support for vulnerable populations. Addressing women in leadership, Sharon shares insights on overcoming barriers and fostering inclusive environments. Furthermore, she highlights the challenges and opportunities for Black, Asian, and ethnic minorities in leadership, emphasising the need for diversity and representation in decision-making roles.
Sharon Thompson is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“Councillor Thompson came to speak to year 12 and 13 Politics A-Level students as part of a series of guest speakers in a ‘Meet your Representatives’ series. She was incredibly engaging and inspiring a for both students and staff alike. She has a wealth of knowledge to share about how local politics works and how it feeds into national political debates.”
“Sharon has spoken on our leadership programmes several times, on various leadership topics – relating to her own life/career story and her areas of expertise. The feedback we have had, from participants, has always been brilliant – whether it’s been a face-to-face, or virtual session. Sharon is an authentic, honest speaker – she’s relatable and really comes into her own, in the Q&A session, whether that’s with emerging or senior leaders.”
The BAME Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for Black, Asian and minority ethnic speakers since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars.
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