Alison Sharman

Alison Sharman has a Midas-like ability in spotting and nurturing talent. She has been involved in the development and creation of many global formats and worked with household names including Joanna Lumley, Michael Winner, Billy Connolly and Trevor McDonald.

In addition Alison has an enviable track record making and commissioning some of the UK’s most famous shows including ‘MasterChef’, ‘Saturday Kitchen’, ‘Bargain Hunt’, ‘The Chase’, ‘Tipping Point’, ‘Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs’, and ‘Long Lost Family’

As Head of BBC Children’s she provided a defining vision for CBeebies and CBBC. She built their reputation through content such as ‘Horrible Histories’, ‘In the Midnight Garden’, ‘Charlie & Lola’ and ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’.

ITV came knocking on Alison’s door in 2005 offering her the position of Director Factual & Daytime. Alison created a programming strategy and brand identity that delivered enormous commercial and reputational success. She revitalized the channel’s performance and managed many creative teams, delivering shows as diverse as ‘This Morning’, ‘Loose Women’ and ‘The South Bank Show’, alongside numerous other successful programmes.

Down Under

In 2013, SBS recruited Alison as its first Head of Commissioning. This was a significant position at the ambitious public service broadcaster based in Sydney, Australia. Alison thoroughly enjoyed her time in Sydney, living by the beach with her youngest daughter who attended school there. At work she commissioned multiple award-winning dramas, comedy and documentary series. Additionally she continued to attract world-class talent to the broadcaster, such as Heston Blumenthal.

Alison returned to the UK in 2016 and now lectures on MA Television at UAL: London College of Communication and has a variety of media related advisory roles including executive coaching of senior executives at BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

What people have said about Alison Sharman

‘Your speech changed the way I think about my life.’

‘Such a set of profoundly-insightful and experience-based advice.

‘I run creative leadership and senior diversity programmes across television. Alison soon became the coach of choice. Her exec level background combined with her personality and coaching approach meant she was always in demand. Alison combines style, warmth and humour. Her coaching has been truly transformational for my clients. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.’

Leading the Way
I have a reputation for dynamic leadership, building world-class brands and creating a culture that enables teams to deliver excellence. This speech will reveal how to stimulate and channel creativity and innovation; and how to manage people and teams in order to deliver great results.

How to Create a Hit
I have developed, created and scheduled some of the UK’s biggest television shows. How do you create a hit? The foundation stones of building a successful brand are the same whether it is a hit show or a best-selling marmalade. I outline the ten secrets to creating a winner.

My Best Friend is called Change
Change management is here to stay. Technologies and global developments mean change is now a permanent state. Change is not just good, it’s great and organisations must wholeheartedly embrace change in order to survive. My experience of change and how it’s become my best friend in life.

How to Be Successful in Television as a Woman
I joined the BBC as a secretary on consumer show Watchdog and then went on to hold some of the biggest media jobs in the broadcasting industry. How did I do it? I will take you behind the camera of building a career in the TV industry.

Creation in the Digital World
Television has been through a seismic technological revolution and the revolution continues. As a media executive who has lived through this incredible modernization, I will share the strategies and approaches for building success in the digital age.