Career Connect has promoted its deputy chief executive to lead the charity.

Sheila Clark has been named chief executive of the employment charity after being part of its strategic leadership team since it launched 20 years ago. She replaces Barry Fletcher in the role and is the charity’s first female CEO.

As deputy chief executive she headed the charity’s workforce development, quality improvement, commercial services and international business development.

The North West of England charity provides careers guidance including supporting young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). It has a subsidiary company Achieve Northwest Connect, which supports the career prospects of offenders and ex-offenders.

“Career Connect has a mission to drive social mobility by enabling more people to access and succeed in education, training and employment,” said Clark.

“This mission, and our vision of a society where every individual realises their full potential, is at the heart of everything I will do as CEO of our charity.

“To do this, we need to continue to be innovative, invest in our people, remain committed to equality and diversity, ensure our impartiality, and stay attuned to the needs of the people that we empower on their career journeys.”

The charity’s chair Lorraine Dodd added: “The Board and I were very impressed by Sheila’s vision for the future of the charity, delivering against our strategy and upholding our values.

“Sheila brings exceptional experience from within the charity, most recently as Deputy CEO working closely with our previous CEO Barry Fletcher, delivering on our ambitious plans.

“I am very pleased we have been able to appoint a successor from within the charity and it highlights the depth of talent that exists within Career Connect.”

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