Sharon White (businesswoman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sharon White
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| Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership | |
| In office 4 February 2020 – 12 September 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Charlie Mayfield |
| Succeeded by | Jason Tarry |
| Chief Executive of the Office of Communications | |
| In office March 2015 – November 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Ed Richards |
| Second Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury | |
| In office 2013–2015 |
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| Chancellor | George Osborne |
| Preceded by | Tom Scholar |
| Succeeded by | John Kingman |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sharon Michele White
21 April 1967 London, United Kingdom |
| Spouse |
Sir Robert Chote
(m. 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge (BA) University College London (MSc) |
| Profession | Economist |
Dame Sharon Michele White, born on April 21, 1967, is a British businesswoman. She was the leader (Chairman) of the John Lewis Partnership. Before that, she worked in many different jobs for the British government, known as the Civil Service.
She was the chief executive of Ofcom, which is the UK's media regulator, from 2015 to 2019. She was also a very senior official at HM Treasury (the government's finance department) from 2013 to 2015. Sharon White was the first black person and the second woman to hold such a high position at the Treasury.
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Early Life and Education
Sharon White was born in east London and grew up in Leyton. She went to Connaught School for Girls and then Leyton Senior High School for Girls. Her parents moved to the UK from Jamaica in the 1950s.
She studied at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where she earned a degree in economics. Later, she got another degree in economics from University College London.
Her Career Journey
Sharon White started working for the British government in 1989. She first worked at the Treasury, which manages the country's money. She also worked at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.. This is where she met her husband, Robert Chote.
She also worked at 10 Downing Street, which is where the Prime Minister lives. She helped with government policies during the time of Prime Minister Tony Blair. She also worked for the World Bank, which helps countries around the world.
Important Roles in Government
From 2003 to 2009, Sharon White was a director general at the Department for International Development. This department helps people in other countries. Then, from 2009 to 2011, she worked at the Ministry of Justice. She also spent time at the Department for Work and Pensions.
At the Treasury, she helped look at how the government managed its money. She also helped the Treasury respond to the big international financial crisis that happened between 2007 and 2008. From 2012 to 2013, she was in charge of public spending at the Treasury.
In 2013, she became the second permanent secretary at the Treasury. This was a very important role. She was the first black person and the second woman ever to hold such a high position there.
Leading Ofcom
In December 2014, it was announced that Sharon White would become the chief executive of Ofcom. She started this role in March 2015. Ofcom is the government body that regulates television, radio, and internet services in the UK.
Leading John Lewis Partnership
In June 2019, Sharon White announced she would leave Ofcom. She was chosen to become the sixth Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership. This is a large group of department stores and supermarkets in the UK. She officially started this role on February 4, 2020.
In October 2023, Sharon White announced that she would be leaving her role at the John Lewis Partnership.
Recognitions and Awards
In November 2014, The Voice newspaper named Sharon White the 7th most powerful black person in Britain. She has often been recognized on the Powerlist, which lists the most influential Black British people in the UK. She even topped the list in 2023.
Sharon White was given the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2020. This was for her excellent public service. In 2023, Fortune magazine also listed her as 75th on their list of Most Powerful Women.
Other Important Roles
Sharon White is a visiting fellow at Nuffield College, which is part of the University of Oxford. She also became a Non-Executive Director for Barratt Developments on January 1, 2018. This means she helps guide the company without being involved in its daily operations.
Her Family Life
Sharon White married economist Robert Chote in 1997 in Washington, D.C. At the time, she was working at the British embassy, and he was working for the International Monetary Fund. Robert Chote was also the chairman of the Office of Budget Responsibility from 2010 to 2020.
Because both Sharon White and Robert Chote have held important roles in government finance, the media sometimes called them "Mr and Mrs Treasury." They have two children together.
