Prestigious royal role for Droylsden's Sharman

Droylsden-born Sharman Birtles JP DL has been appointed as the new Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.

Sharman, who was educated at Fairfield High School for Girls, is only the eighth person to hold the prestigious office.

Sharman said she was delighted that Sir Warren Smith, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, had shown enormous faith in her by appointing her to the position. 

The process involved Sir Warren’s nomination being submitted to the Prime Minister before being sent to Her Majesty The Queen for her approval, after which a commission for the appointment was issued.

Sharman said: “I follow in the footsteps of seven wonderful, inspirational people, none more so than my immediate predecessor, Paul Griffiths, who has done a brilliant job over the last three years.

“On behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant takes the lead on Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service throughout the County and Paul has been instrumental in ensuring that Greater Manchester has remained at the forefront, with the most successful recipients throughout his tenure. 

“He has carried out the role with great dignity, charm and integrity – indeed huge shoes to fill.”

Sharman went on to say that she has known Sir Warren for more than 40 years and he has always been a great friend and mentor to her and she looked forward to supporting him in her new role. 

It is the Vice Lord-Lieutenant’s role to stand in the place of the Lord-Lieutenant when he is absent, sick or otherwise unable to act.

Sharman said: “I take on this role with great enthusiasm and a desire to continue in my support of a number of charitable trusts, charities and other organisations. 

“It is a huge honour to support Sir Warren who, since his appointment in 2003, has been the number one champion of this great county of ours in the promotion and celebration of its wide social, cultural and faith diversity. 

“He has always been an immense source of encouragement during Greater Manchester’s many achievements and also led all communities with endless compassion and understanding during times of sadness and despair. I will certainly do my best to repay his faith in me.”

In 2008 Sharman was honoured to be appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester and was hugely privileged to serve as High Sheriff of the County 2015-2016.

Sharman is the Greater Manchester Patron of Marie Curie Nursing and also of Willow Wood Hospice in Tameside. In 2016 Sharman became a trustee to the board of SAFE Networks, a charity which deals with female exploitation and modern day slavery and is the Chairman of Trustees at The Shed, Tameside, which helps older men to avoid social isolation whilst promoting a healthy lifestyle. In 2017 she was delighted to be appointed as Honorary Colonel of the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force.

She is the chairman of the Manchester and District Hospital Choirs Committee which organises Christmas concerts in order to raise money for CLIC Sargent in Greater Manchester.

Sharman, who now lives in Audenshaw, is also chairman of the Barnes Cotton Districts Charitable Trust which assists with people suffering from permanent illnesses and disabilities, plus chairman of Relief in Need, Children’s Relief in Need and Manchester District Nursing Institution Fund, three charitable trusts which provide relief to individuals, families, children and the sick who are living in poverty. 

She is a trustee of the Greater Manchester High Sheriff’s Police Trust Fund and the Manchester Guardian Society Charitable Fund. She also sits as a trustee of the JT Barnes Trust which gives support to isolated older citizens and as a trustee of the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment Charitable Fund.

Some years ago, Sharman joined the Old Girls’ Association and in 2015 she was invited to become a school governor at Fairfield. 

She is a Soroptimist and a keen supporter of Guide Bridge Amateur Theatre and of the Mikron Theatre Group.