Sharon Watson, Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director wins at the 2019 Black British Business Awards.

The Awards, which took place tonight at the Leonardo Royal Hotel in London brought together 36 industry leaders and rising stars from the: Arts and Media, Consumer and Luxury, Financial Services, Professional Services and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics sectors.

Sharon, who was a Senior Leader finalist in the Arts and Media category alongside Colin Gillespie, Chief Strategy Officer at All Response Media and author Dorothy Koomson said, “I am absolutely ecstatic. To be recognised amongst such talent from a broad range of industries, and to be a part of an award ceremony which champions the often overlooked is such an honour. On such a celebratory evening, let’s not underestimate why these awards are needed and the opportunities that they can present to the recipients.”

Sharon, who grew up in Harehills Leeds was one of the first female dancers invited to join the all-male Phoenix Dance Theatre (formerly Phoenix Dance Company) where she toured with the ensemble for eight years. She then left to pursue a number of other avenues such as lecturing at Northern School of Contemporary Dance before joining Phoenix Dance Theatre as the Company’s Rehearsal & Tour Director and in 2009, Artistic Director. She is now the longest standing Artistic Director of the Company and has seen the organisation through monumental growth.