Sharon Mair

Sharon has extensive experience at the leadership, editorial and board level for a diverse array of organisations. Alongside a senior thirty-year career with the BBC, has developed a portfolio of director and committee positions spanning the public and third sectors.

In all capacities, Sharon crafts comprehensive strategies targeting operational improvements, delivering these through expansive change programmes and transformations. She has planned and executed the launch or coverage of some of Scotland’s and the UK’s highest-profile events (Commonwealth Games, Olympics, BBC Music Day) utilising a specialism in forging lasting partnerships among internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful delivery.

Passionate about peer development, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and the nurturing and mentoring of teams and talent, she championed, launched, and delivered the first BBC Scotland apprenticeship programme by working with key stakeholders to offer opportunity and confidence to young people from diverse backgrounds and address inequality. Sharon led and implemented the first 50/50 diversity initiative for BBC in Scotland, and worked professionally in partnership with the BBC’s Children in Need charity and UNICEF delivering for the broadcast of the Commonwealth Games ceremonies. She enjoys strategic and critical thinking to realise new ways of working and new approaches. Sharon is a respected leader with the knowledge and people skills to achieve brand impact, and organisational, cultural, and business success.

As BBC Editor of Music, Radio and Events for BBC Scotland she was responsible for music output and large events and cross-platform content e.g. The Commonwealth Games, BBC Biggest Weekend, The Quay Sessions, Another Country, Travelling Folk, Get it On, BBC at the Quay and many more.

Sharon has led BBC Scotland’s Music Day output with several ambitious programmes including concerts at the Barrowland with Travis and Texas and the BBC SSO. She also launched and curated the BBC Scotland Singer/Songwriter inaugural award in 2019.  As the BBC Project Executive for the Commonwealth Games 2014, she was responsible for content across radio, television and online on all genres of programming, working closely with internal and external partners and stakeholders. As Project Director of the 17-day Cultural Festival, BBC at the Quay, that accompanied the BBC sporting coverage of the Games, Sharon curated a programme of music, speech, comedy, sport and events that engaged all ages.

Before this role, she led BBC Scotland’s Olympic editorial proposition including the Olympic Torch coverage in Scotland and put in place the structures for delivery of the Commonwealth Games. She has worked in radio for many years producing content for many networks and launching a new digital music station. As Managing Editor of BBC Radio Scotland responsible for the day-to-day management of the station, during that period she implemented the change programme for radio when BBC Scotland moved to its new headquarters at Pacific Quay.

A passionate ambassador for nurturing talent as evidenced by launching the BBC Scotland Apprenticeship Programme.

Sharon is Convenor of the People and Culture Committee at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire and has held several director roles and been involved with charities including Music For All and Learn to Play ’21.