Career Connect CEO Sheila Clark has been appointed Vice-Chair of Careers England, playing a key role in advocating for and representing the voice of the careers guidance industry.

Careers England is the industry body for organisations involved in the provision of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) products and services in England for people of all ages.

Sheila will combine her position at Careers England with her role as CEO of Liverpool-based Careers Guidance and social mobility charity Career Connect. Sheila is also a key figure in E3M’s Social Enterprise Leaders’ Club, an initiative that supports leaders from the largest and most successful UK social enterprises.

Careers England works closely with key national stakeholders including the Department for Education, The Careers & Enterprise Company, The Career Development Institute (CDI) and Higher Education Institutions.

Members include those delivering careers guidance services for local authorities, schools and colleges across England and the National Careers Service.

Careers England aims to be the informed voice of the careers guidance industry in England.

Sheila said:

 “Nobody should underestimate the pivotal role of high quality, impartial Careers Information, Advice and Guidance to change lives. Effective careers guidance has the power to enable social mobility and raise aspirations for generations to come.

“In my new role as Vice-Chair of Careers England, I look forward to being part of the team advocating for how Careers Information, Advice and Guidance is understood, structured and funded in England, to achieve the best outcomes for individuals and society as a whole.”

Kieran Gordon MBE, Executive Director of Careers England, said: 

“The Careers England board is delighted to welcome Sheila Clark as Vice Chair. As the trade association that represents career sector organisations nationally, Careers England plays an important role in influencing government policy both nationally and locally.

“It is vital that our organisation is well represented at these senior levels, and I know that Sheila’s leadership, knowledge and experience of our sector will be a great asset in how we perform our role.”

About Careers England

In a typical academic year, Careers England members provide face to face careers support to just under three quarters of a million individuals in England. This includes working in over 1100 schools to provide CEIAG to over 130,000 young people. In addition, members deliver careers help to 167,000 16-to 20-year-olds, 80,000 20-to-24-year-olds and around 350,000 adults aged at least 24 years.

About Sheila Clark

Sheila has been an intrinsic part of Career Connect’s strategic leadership team since its inception 20 years ago.

As Career Connect’s first female CEO – appointed in January 2023  – she is leading the charity in its new vision and mission and delivery of its five-year strategy, with a focus on impact and growth.

A successful company Director with significant experience in developing and leading services with Local Authorities, schools and businesses, Sheila has headed up HR, workforce development, quality improvement, commercial services and international business development in her role as Deputy CEO at Career Connect.

Sheila is also a key figure in E3M’s Social Enterprise Leaders’ Club, an initiative that supports leaders from the largest and most successful UK social enterprises.

Sheila is committed to developing career management services for young people and adults at a regional, national, and international level and brings extensive experience in creating, developing and sustaining strategic partnerships.

Learn more about Sheila’s journey