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Sharon Jane Taylor, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, OBE (née Severn; born 19 January 1956), is a British politician and life peer. She was a member of Stevenage Borough Council in Hertfordshire from 1997 to 2024, and served as the leader of the council from 2006 to 2022.

Early life

Taylor was born in Welwyn Garden City on 19 January 1956 to David Severn and Joan Adele Severn (née Burkitt). She attended the Girls Grammar School in Stevenage and Hatfield Polytechnic, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honours degree.[1]

Career

In 1997, Taylor became a local councillor for the Labour Party, representing her home area of Symonds Green.[2] She was leader of the council from 2006 to 2022.[1][3] Before this, she was Head of Executive Support at Hertfordshire Constabulary.[4] Before that, she worked for John Lewis and British Aerospace.[5]

In 2008, Taylor became a county councillor for Hertfordshire County Council. At the 2010, 2015 and 2017 general elections, she unsuccessfully contested the constituency of Stevenage. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to local government in the 2013 New Year Honours.[6][7]

In October 2022, it was announced that she would receive a life peerage, sitting in the House of Lords for the Labour Party.[8][6] On 28 October 2022, she was created Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, of Stevenage in the County of Hertfordshire.[9][10] She was introduced to the Lords on 31 October 2022.[11]

In February 2023, she accepted the role of patron of the Stevenage Community Trust. Taylor has been a supporter since the trust's inception in 1990. [12]

Personal life

Taylor is divorced and has three children: a son and two daughters.[5][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Taylor of Stevenage". Who's Who. A & C Black. 2023. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U297845. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ "Stevenage: Interview with new Baroness Taylor". The Comet. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE – House of Lords appointment". Stevenage Borough Council. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Sharon Taylor". Hertfordshire Labour Group. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  5. ^ a b Taylor, Sharon (15 February 2010). "Q&A: Sharon Taylor of Stevenage Borough Council". Great British Life (Interview). Interviewed by Great British Life. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Sharon Taylor to enter House of Lords and step down as council leader". The Comet. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  7. ^ "No. 60367". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 28 December 2012. p. 14.
  8. ^ "Political Peerages 2022". gov.uk. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  9. ^ "No. 63864". The London Gazette. 2 November 2022. p. 20950.
  10. ^ "Baroness Taylor of Stevenage". MPs and Lords. UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  11. ^ "Latest civil service & public affairs moves – November 7". Civil Service World. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Baroness Sharon Taylor - Patron". www.stevenagecommunitytrust.org. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
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