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Sharon Thompson JP, FIoL is a trailblazing Black British political leader, keynote speaker and strategic advisor whose life and career are defined by resilience, representation and social impact. Sharon’s journey began with lived experience of homelessness as a teenager, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to social justice, housing reform and inclusive leadership. Today, she is recognised nationally as a powerful voice for communities too often excluded from decision-making, bringing authenticity, credibility and clarity to every platform she steps onto.
Since being elected as a councillor in 2014, Sharon has built an extensive public service career within Birmingham City Council and the wider West Midlands. In 2023, she made history as the first person from a Black or Asian background to be appointed Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, one of Europe’s largest local authorities. She currently serves as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, with responsibility for economic growth, employment, skills, inward investment, major regeneration projects, levelling-up initiatives and cost-of-living support. Sharon also holds the role of Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, becoming the first female and first ethnic minority person to hold the position, with a regional focus on skills, race equality and economic development.
Sharon’s leadership record delivers measurable results. She led Birmingham’s housing and homelessness portfolio during a period that saw an 81 percent reduction in rough sleeping, one of the most significant improvements in the UK. Her national campaigning on exempt and supported accommodation influenced major policy reform, contributing to the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. Sharon has overseen multi-billion-pound regeneration and skills programmes, supporting inclusive growth and employment pathways for thousands of residents. Her advisory work includes serving on the Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, alongside roles across health, housing, policing and social mobility boards. She is also the Founder and Director of Tilt360 Ltd, supporting organisations with leadership development, executive coaching and equality-focused culture change.
As a keynote speaker, Sharon is respected for her ability to connect lived experience with senior leadership insight. She speaks with authority on political engagement, homelessness, housing, women in leadership and Black, Asian and ethnic minority leadership. Her talks are practical, honest and challenging, grounded in real-world examples from frontline services and executive decision-making. Sharon leaves audiences inspired to lead with courage, responsibility and purpose, whether in politics, business or public service.
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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