Meet Sharon Hanson-Cooper, our new Business Manager

We are delighted to introduce Sharon Hanson-Cooper as our new Business Manager. With a strong background in finance and further study in business management, social sciences and international development, Sharon joins us with a wealth of experience and expertise.

We've taken the time to interview Sharon and let her introduce herself to everyone.

Tell us a little about yourself?

I like variety, being challenged and have a good sense of humour.

I have a creative streak which I enjoy utilising to co-create solutions for clients. Outside of work this is used for cooking, interior design and, most recently, a camper van conversion!

What does your new role involve?

The Business Manager role isn’t only new to me, it’s a newly created position within Agencia. It sits at the heart of the business as a new and challenging position working within the senior management team.

It has both a UK and international focus and the creation of the post is a real reflection of Agencia’s success and continued growth as the Company approaches its 25^th Anniversary.

Specifically, I will be focused on oversight of key projects and programmes, corporate strategic planning, performance and delivery, new business processes and business development.

What are you looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to contributing to the next exciting chapter for Agencia as we approach our 25th Anniversary this October, which is a tremendous opportunity to both reflect on how we got here, and the opportunities going forward as we work with our international and domestic clients.

Tell us a little about your professional background?

My principal qualification is in finance, and I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (FCPFA) with further study in business management, social sciences, counselling & coaching, and a masters degree in International Development Management.

My professional background is rooted in UK local government, and I have always retained a strong sense of the 'public good' and 'higher purpose' ethos in all my work.

I’ve had quite a varied career with a career-long motivation rooted in the desire to work for the collective good, a focus on justice and equality, and to improve lives of the most vulnerable.

Early in my career I successfully delivered on several senior financial management roles in local government then was appointed District Auditor with the Audit Commission, before taking the opportunity to develop into international roles. This included working collaboratively with senior officers in overseas governments and delivering strategic international development programmes in a number of countries (in over 20 countries across the UN, Western Balkans, Africa, Southeast Asian and Middle East!).

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work I undertake a number of voluntary activities for organisations and causes which are important to me, including being an active member of Soroptimist International which is a global volunteer movement working together to transform the lives of women and girls, and their communities at home and overseas.

Our Managing Director, Helen Gibson said:

I am thrilled to welcome Sharon to this brand new, and critical role at the heart of Agencia. I have known Sharon for many years, and we have been fortunate to work with her in the past.
Most recently, this included Sharon taking the Team Leader role for us in a major programme of work in the Western Balkans region. Sharon’s values, expertise and skill set are exactly what Agencia needs to help us achieve our next stage of ambitious growth. We are all very excited about working with her.
Helen Gibson MBE

About Agencia

Agencia has been transforming organisations for 25 years. We not only design the change but also make it happen, turning strategy into action and action into results.

We are a team of industry experts with years of on the ground experience. Our solutions are pragmatic and down to earth.

We are a family run business with values based on collaboration, practical and realistic methods for making a difference.

We have been trusted to deliver over 500 contracts, developing and exporting British public service expertise. We have improved government capabilities, transformed entire organisations, developed communities and changed lives.

We thrive on the most challenging projects, finding inspiration where others may find difficulty.

We operate worldwide.

To find out more, please see our About Us or Contact Us pages.