Media Information

Biographies

David Croisdale-Appleby OBE, Chair

David Croisdale-Appleby OBE was appointed the new Chair of Skills for Care, replacing Donald Hoodless following his retirement, in November 2008.

David's background is as a professional corporate strategist, and he is a strategic advisor to the boards of many UK organisations in the private and public sectors. He is extremely active in the formulation of policy in health and social care, and has served in many roles in the NHS. 

Helen Wilcox, Vice Chair

Biography and image to follow

Sharon Allen, Chief Executive Officer

Sharon Allen was appointed CEO of Skills for Care in August 2010 succeeding Andrea Rowe following her retirement.

A qualified social worker and housing professional, Sharon was previously Chief Executive of St Anne's Community Services for eight years. Prior to joining St Anne's, Sharon was Director of National Services and Initiatives with Shelter and has previously managed the Blenheim Project in Bradford, worked for Women's Aid in Calderdale and for Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Derbyshire County Council where her career in social care began.

Holding a wide range of non-executive positions, Sharon is a member of the Board of Yorkshire Forward (Regional Development Agency (RDA) for Yorkshire and Humber) and vice chair of ACEVO North. She was also Chair of Volition (Leeds Voluntary Sector Mental Health Forum), Board member at Yorkshire & Humber Regional Forum and Affinity Trust, member of the National Advisory Group to the Health and Criminal Justice Programme Board and of Skills for Care Yorkshire and Humber regional committee and represented the voluntary sector at Leeds Joint Strategic Commissioning Board and the Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory. Sharon was also an external examiner for Leeds Metropolitan University Post Qualifying Social Work Award and has an MBA.

David Towns, Company Secretary 

David Towns is responsible for project management, performance management and data protection at Skills for Care. Prior to joining, David was a Corporate Director for the NHS Litigation Authority. David has a BCL from Oxon and a BA from Manchester University. He is also a solicitor of the Supreme Court.

Skills for Care’s Board

The Skills for Care board represents major employers in social care, people who use social care services, carers, higher education and vocational training interests, unions and professional associations in social care. All Board members are company directors and trustees of the charity. 

Media enquiries

Journalists requiring more information about Skills for Care can contact:

Paul Clarke - Press Officer
paul.clarke@skillsforcare.org.uk
0113 241 1297
07977 519 287

General enquiries

For general enquiries regarding Skills for Care, please contact: info@skillsforcare.org.uk

0113 245 1716