Vice Lord-Lieutenant

Mrs Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL

Appointed on Sunday 1st November 2020

Mrs Sharman Birtles the Vice Lord-Lieutenant

Sharman was born in Droylsden and was educated at Fairfield High School for Girls. After leaving school she joined The Royal Bank of Scotland (formerly Williams Deacons and Williams & Glyn’s) where she worked until she took early retirement in 1997.

Sharman was appointed as a Magistrate on the Manchester City Bench in 1981 where she sat on the Adult, Family & Youth Panels and served as the Chairman of the Licensing Bench. After spending three years as Deputy Bench Chairman she was elected as Bench Chairman from 2009 – 2012. In 2013 she transferred to the Supplemental List.

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. She is the Chair of Trustees of SAFE Networks, a Charity which deals with female exploitation and modern-day slavery and is the Chair 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, a fantastic organisation which gives young people wonderful life experiences that will help them to achieve success in life. She is Chair of the Manchester & District Hospital Choirs Committee which organises Christmas Concerts in order to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer in Greater Manchester, a brilliant Charity which supports children & young people who are dealing with cancer.

Sharman is Chair of the Barnes Cotton Districts Charitable Trust which assists with people suffering from permanent illnesses & disabilities. She is also Chair of Relief in Need, Children’s Relief in Need & Manchester District Nursing Institution Fund, three Charitable Trusts which provide relief to individuals, families, children and the sick who are living in poverty. Sharman is a Trustee of the Greater Manchester High Sheriffs Police Trust Fund and of 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 now is a Board Member at the School.

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

Sharman was appointed as Vice Lord-Lieutenant in 2020 and was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honour’s List 2022 for her exceptional voluntary and charitable service.

Sharman and her husband Grahame live in Audenshaw. They are interested in local history and are past members of the Manchester Literary & Philosophical Society. When time permits, they enjoy walking, dining with friends and they are both Season Ticket Holders at Manchester United Football Club!