Today is International Women's Day and in celebration of this event, with have some exciting news to share! Sharon Branch has been promoted to Head of Operations. Sharon joined Occuity as one of our very first employees back in 2020 and immediately became vital to the running of the business.
Her comprehensive knowledge of compliance and regulatory frameworks in general and her extensive expertise within the ISO 13485 quality standard in particular, have proved invaluable as Occuity advances its product development from concept through to manufacture.
Dan Daly, Occuity CEO & Founder, comments:
"Having worked with Sharon previously, I was already aware of the depth of Sharon’s knowledge within the quality and regulatory field, and felt she was the right person to bring on board to build and manage Occuity’s QMS system.
As the business has continued to grow and expand, Sharon has seamlessly adapted, taking on additional responsibilities and driving the company’s operations forward. Furthermore, Sharon’s natural abilities as a line manager and her strong teamwork ethic meant it was an obvious decision to promote her to the role of Occuity’s Head of Operations. "
We had a chat with Sharon to learn more about being a woman in leadership and how she reached her professional goals and motivates her team to do the same.
How has your role changed/evolved since joining the company?
There is a new level of responsibility that now involves constant juggling of tasks. I have already made a start on defining and reviewing processes that support the company’s ability to grow while ensuring we have the right team and structure in place to deliver on those goals. Overcoming challenges and identifying new challenges is what I am finding exciting right now; my mind is literally bursting with options.
What advice would you give to other women who aspire to be in leadership positions?
Believe in the positive changes you want to make. Stay motivated and passionate about your role. You make strong decisions that may impact other people’s lives so you need to find a way to be as informative and as helpful as you can be.
How do you foster an inclusive and diverse work environment, and why is it important to you?
In order to earn the trust and commitment of my team, I try to understand and respect the unique needs of each individual. I always aim to be open and approachable. We regularly discuss pastoral care, development and growth within work or home life. This way, I can ensure each person feels valued and authentic.
How do you inspire and motivate your team to achieve their goals and advance in their career?
You need to create time for your team. It is easy to write goals, but you really need to know the individual well to be able to provide the growth that person needs.
We are confident that Sharon will thrive in her new role and continue to prove instrumental in ensuring Occuity meets its short, medium and long-term goals and objectives.
We are hiring! If you are interested in joining our team, check out our careers page.