When Sharon Seville sets her mind on something she certainly achieves it. Sharon has run her recruitment businesses for 30 years. Just over two years ago she decided to set herself three objectives: The first, to focus on her recruitment business in the sectors she consistently achieves a 100% recruiting success rate, specialising in the Manufacturing & Engineering, leadership and Senior Executive roles. Secondly, in addition to her role as President of Chamber of Commerce (Stockport) to get more involved in her business community in Stockport, Greater Manchester, where her own business is based. Thirdly, to provide positive representation around the leadership table as a woman in business in the North West.
“I’ve always been someone who, if I say I’m going to do something, I do it.” says Sharon. “I also believe women having a seat around any decision-making table is not only valuable, we also have a lot to contribute as well. So, for me being more involved in my business community made sense.”
What was the main driver for Sharon? “If you’re someone like me who loves to continually learn, you need to get ahead of what is going on in the ever-changing business world around you. Not only for your business, but for your personal growth”
Two years on Sharon is really making her mark in Stockport and Greater Manchester. Now in her 4th year as President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (Stockport) Sharon recently sat alongside Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) and senior figures in the rail, transport, and development industries to discuss strategic transport development for the region. She is also a member of Stockport Economic Alliance, Cheadle Town Improvement Plan (TIP) board and Chair of the Climate Action Business Forum at SMBC, something she is passionate about.
Because of her sector knowledge, Sharon also sits on the Employer Engineering Advisory Board for Trafford College Group and in June 2022 Sharon was elected as a non-executive director of the Recruitment & Employment Federation (REC), the national voice of the recruitment industry.
What advice would Sharon give to other UK women business owners looking to get more involved in their region? “As well as keep building on your sector knowledge and expertise, it’s important to look outside your own business world too. You often gain such a lot of valuable knowledge and insight outside of your normal environment. And what’s more, you can then take that learning into your own business to help make improvements that maybe you wouldn’t otherwise have seen. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone occasionally too.”
Sharon is a Northwest businesswoman who is achieving what she set out to do. To top it all off, her business, F1rst Commercial Recruitment, part of F1rst Group Solutions Ltd, which encompasses First Executive Recruitment, has recently been awarded its place on the Financial Times list of leading recruiters for 2024. Recognising her company’s expertise and reputation in three categories: Engineering & Industry, Business & Professional Services, and Finance. This is a prestigious, reputational award from a survey of 10,000 respondents across HR, Business, peers and candidates. Congratulations Sharon!