Sharon Baylay-Bell, Independent Chair and Non-Executive Director

Sharon has had a successful career in technology, media and digital roles, and has extensive corporate governance experience. Sharon currently holds roles as Chair of Restore plc and Remuneration Committee Chair of W.A.G plc. In addition, Sharon is also Chair of DriveWorks Ltd, a CAD/CAM software development company backed by the Business Growth Fund (BGF).

Previously Sharon was Chair of FSP Ltd, a digital transformation consultancy backed by Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) who recently exited to follow-on investment from CBPE and was Chair of the Remuneration Committee and ESG Committees of Hyve Group plc, as well as Chair of Ted Baker plc alongside other plc and private Chair roles.

Sharon’s executive career spanned the formative years of technological change and growth into digital and online. Sharon spent 16 years at Microsoft where she was a Board Director of Microsoft UK and General Manager of MSN International, responsible for all markets outside the US as well as the UK and was also a recipient of the Bill Gates Chairman’s Award. Following her successful career at Microsoft she joined the BBC as Chief Marketing Officer, becoming a main Board Director of the BBC, BBC Worldwide, Freesat and Digital UK.

Sharon holds a graduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and is also a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Marketing. She also holds an FT/Pearson Non-Executive Director Diploma. Sharon is also a Grade 7, Advanced Coach & Mentor, accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a Member of Women in Advertising and Communications Leadership.

Sharon now runs a portfolio career, working for both plc and private equity backed businesses. In addition, Sharon is a specialist coach both for senior executives as they step into the most senior board-level positions within their organisations and for those aspiring to become non-executive directors themselves.