Skills for Care chief executive Sharon Allen to leave role after nine years

Skills for Care chief executive Sharon Allen is to step down from her role after nine years at the workforce development body.

Allen’s decision to leave the organisation comes after she was appointed chief executive of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, a Cambridgeshire-based organisation which helps people living with life-limiting illness.

She was appointed CEO of Skills for Care in 2010, having previously been chief executive of St Anne’s Community Services, a large social care and supported housing organisation.

Since then, Allen has helped the organisation put workforce development issues at the heart of the social care agenda.

She was awarded an OBE in June 2015 for services to social care, homeless people and housing.

Search for successor starts

The Skills for Care board announced it would begin the process of appointing a new CEO, with Allen starting her new role in April.

Allen said: “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.”

Skills for Care chair Moira Gibb commented that Allen had been an “outstanding leader” during her time at the charity.

“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.”