Sharon Varney

BA(Hons), DipM, MSc, DBA

Principal Associate

Dr Sharon Varney is a specialist in developing organisations and people. Her areas of expertise include leadership, learning and change. As both a consultant and as a researcher, Sharon thrives on creating clarity in complex and ambiguous change situations. She works at a strategic level, helping to create more effective organisations, and engages at a very human level, supporting people to manage personal change and transition.

Sharon developed her change expertise working as a senior manager in large, complex organisations. She was group head of learning and communications for a global organisation in the offshore oil and gas business. Previously she was Vice President for international learning and development at a US bank.

Now Sharon employs her cross-sector expertise to support leaders and directors within private, public and not-for-profit organisations. That may involve working with them to create a compelling people strategy; to develop OD capability; to re-design organisations; to bring brand values to life; or to develop productive and effective leadership communities.

Sharon holds a doctorate from Henley Business School, and is now a member of the faculty team in Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour. Her doctoral research, which has a very practical edge, explored the complex dynamics of organisational change and the role of change leaders within it.