Skills for Care CEO Sharon Allen to step down in April

Sharon Allen has announced she is stepping down as CEO of Skills for Care in April.

The Skills for Care head is leaving her role to take up the post of CEO with the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

“I wanted a new role that really embedded me in the local community where I live and this opportunity at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity offers me a chance to make sure that people across Cambridgeshire can access palliative and end of life care services that meets their needs,” Sharon said.

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“Leading the highly skilled hospice team brings together my absolute commitment to local services with everything I have learnt throughout my career, particularly over the last nearly nine years at Skills for Care.

“I have really valued the skills, knowledge and commitment of everyone who has worked at Skills for Care who have transformed us into the go to organisation for all workforce matters in adult social care. I know whoever succeeds me will be taking over an organisation that is in a very good place thanks to the tireless efforts of a hugely talented group of professionals who I will miss greatly.”

Sharon joined Skills for Care, which supports England 21,200 adult social care employers to improve the skills and knowledge of more than 1.47 million workers, in 2009. Since then Sharon has helped Skills for Care put workforce development issues at the heart of the fierce debate about the future of adult social care services.

Skills for Care Chair Dame Moira Gibb said: “Since I became Skills for Care Chair I have developed a close working relationship with Sharon who has been an outstanding leader and a respected voice putting the case for our sector’s growing workforce.

“Her clear commitment to public service and top quality care services for people in our communities has been an example to everyone who works at Skills for Care. Her contribution to the sector was recognised by an OBE in 2015.

“The Skills for Care board are sad to see her go but we wish her well in this new role that will play to all her many strengths.”

The Skills for Care board will now begin the process of appointing a new CEO.