Sonia Pawson

Sonia Pawson is currently the HR Director of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Sonia is an experienced Chartered Occupational Psychologist and senior HR leader with extensive experience and a strong track record of delivering end-to-end people solutions in complex, regulated environments. Sonia has worked on a number of cross-government initiatives, including the design and implementation of the Success Profiles Framework.  In her earlier career she worked on key organisational initiatives at the Ministry of Justice and HM Inspectorate of Prisons, applying psychology positively to influence cultural change and the experience of work. She led on specialist recruitment, filling the most specialist/niche roles across the Civil Service and subsequently led the creation of the Government Recruitment Service. In recent roles she led the development and launch of the Civil Service 2022-2025 Apprenticeship Strategy and delivered a radical vision and case for change for the prestigious, award winning Civil Service Fast Stream.

She is currently responsible for providing strategic leadership and management of training across the Civil Service, including leading the Curriculum and Campus for Government Skills to provide a clear, coherent learning and development offer for all Civil Servants.