Shevaun Haviland: Visionary Leader Transforming British Business

Shevaun Haviland is the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), a position she has held since April 2021. Renowned for her strategic vision and commitment to purpose-driven leadership, she has played a pivotal role in advocating for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sustainable business practices, and stronger UK trade relationships. Awarded a CBE for her services to business, Shevaun combines corporate experience, government insight, and innovative thinking to shape the UK’s business landscape, making her one of the most influential business leaders in the country today.

Early Life and Education

Details about Shevaun Haviland’s early life are limited, as she prefers to keep her personal life private. However, her career trajectory reflects a strong foundation in education and global business exposure. Shevaun pursued studies that allowed her to develop analytical skills, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities—traits that would later define her professional journey. While her exact age is not publicly confirmed, her career timeline suggests she is an accomplished leader in her 40s or early 50s.

Career Journey: Private Sector Foundations

Management Consultancy Experience

Shevaun began her career in management consultancy, working in both London and New York. This period allowed her to develop expertise in problem-solving, strategic planning, and organizational management. She gained exposure to multinational business environments, which laid the groundwork for her future roles in global organizations.

The Walt Disney Company

Transitioning from consultancy, Shevaun joined The Walt Disney Company, where she was deeply involved in strategic planning and operations. She played a key role in the opening of the second Disneyland park in Paris, helping to manage complex projects and ensure seamless execution. This experience highlighted her ability to manage large-scale initiatives and provided valuable insights into global corporate operations.

Marketing and Advertising Leadership

Following her tenure at Disney, Shevaun moved into the marketing and advertising sector. She managed global accounts for industry giants such as Millward Brown, Mindshare, and WPP. These roles allowed her to blend creativity with strategy, manage high-value client relationships, and drive business growth across international markets.

Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation

Shevaun’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Independents United, a digital innovation agency and venture builder. Through this venture, she focused on supporting startups and creating new business models that combined profitability with social impact. Later, she joined Avado as New Ventures Director, helping to build EdTech businesses and founding the Academy of Digital Business Leaders, which provided innovative educational solutions for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals.

Public Sector Leadership

UK Cabinet Office

Shevaun transitioned into public service by joining the UK Cabinet Office, where she led the Business Partnerships team. In this role, she facilitated collaboration between government bodies and the private sector, promoting policies that supported economic growth and innovation.

Inclusive Economy Partnership

As head of the Inclusive Economy Partnership, Shevaun worked on initiatives aimed at bridging gaps between government, business, and civil society. Her work emphasized sustainable economic growth and inclusive policies that enabled businesses of all sizes to thrive.

Role at 10 Downing Street

Before joining the BCC, she served as Head of Business Engagement at 10 Downing Street, where she focused on fostering constructive dialogue between the government and the business community. This experience deepened her understanding of policy-making and the challenges businesses face in a complex regulatory environment.

Leading the British Chambers of Commerce

In April 2021, Shevaun Haviland became the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). In this role, she has focused on advocating for businesses, particularly SMEs, and ensuring their voices are represented in national policy discussions.

Advocacy for SMEs

Shevaun has consistently championed the cause of small and medium-sized enterprises. She emphasizes the need for policies that reduce regulatory burdens, support workforce development, and enable SMEs to compete in domestic and international markets.

Trade and Export Growth

Under her leadership, the BCC has pushed for stronger UK trade relationships, particularly with the European Union and the United States. She advocates for policies that simplify trade procedures, reduce barriers, and create opportunities for UK businesses abroad.

Sustainable Business Practices

Shevaun is a strong proponent of sustainable business practices. She has led initiatives encouraging companies to adopt environmentally responsible strategies and work towards net-zero goals. Her focus on sustainability aligns with broader global efforts to mitigate climate change and promote ethical business conduct.

Skills and Education

Believing that a skilled workforce is key to economic growth, Shevaun emphasizes the importance of integrating education with practical business needs. She supports initiatives that equip young professionals with skills relevant to modern workplaces, ensuring businesses have access to qualified talent.

Leadership Philosophy and Values

Shevaun Haviland’s leadership philosophy is grounded in purpose-driven action, collaboration, and optimism. She believes that business can be a force for positive change and that sustainable success requires long-term partnerships between government, business, and civil society. Her values include:

• Purpose-Driven Leadership: Aligning business goals with social and environmental impact.

• Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships across sectors for shared prosperity.

• Empowerment: Inspiring leaders and employees to innovate and take initiative.

• Optimism: Approaching challenges with a positive and solutions-oriented mindset.

Recognition and Achievements

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

In 2025, Shevaun Haviland was awarded a CBE in recognition of her significant contributions to UK business. This honor reflects her impact in driving economic growth, advocating for SMEs, and promoting ethical and sustainable business practices.

Board Memberships and Trusteeships

Shevaun serves on the board of ICC UK (International Chamber of Commerce UK), contributing her expertise to global trade discussions. She is also a trustee of Barefoot College International and actively involved with the Women of the World Foundation (WoW), reflecting her commitment to social impact and inclusivity.

Shevaun Haviland’s Age, Family, and Personal Life

Publicly available information about Shevaun Haviland’s personal life is limited. While her exact age is not officially documented, career milestones suggest she is likely in her 40s or early 50s. She is known to be a mother, with references to her teenage sons in public interviews and speeches, though she maintains a private personal life. Her focus on professional accomplishments means her family life is kept largely out of the public eye.

Shevaun Haviland’s Net Worth

Shevaun Haviland’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. As a professional primarily engaged in leadership roles in business advocacy and public service, her wealth is not tracked by typical net-worth reporting platforms. Her influence, however, stems from her strategic vision and leadership rather than personal financial holdings.

Shevaun Haviland on Wikipedia

Currently, Shevaun Haviland does not have a dedicated, comprehensive Wikipedia page. While brief professional summaries may appear in various organizational biographies or news features, there is no fully detailed Wikipedia entry covering her early life, family, career timeline, awards, or personal philosophy.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

• Balancing Growth and Purpose: Advocating for business growth while promoting sustainability and ethical practices can be complex.

• Navigating Policy Change: Influencing government policy requires strategic negotiation and persistent advocacy.

• SME Constraints: Supporting smaller businesses with limited resources remains an ongoing challenge.

Opportunities

• Influence on UK Trade Policy: As the Director General of BCC, she has a platform to shape post-Brexit trade strategies.

• Promoting Sustainable Business Models: She can lead initiatives that encourage firms to adopt environmentally responsible practices.

• Skills Development: She has the potential to transform workforce development initiatives, bridging the gap between education and business needs.

Impact on UK Business and Society

Shevaun Haviland’s work has far-reaching implications for the UK’s economy. By advocating for SME growth, sustainable practices, skills development, and ethical business conduct, she positions the UK as a competitive, forward-thinking economy. Her emphasis on collaboration between business and government fosters a more inclusive economic ecosystem, ensuring that a diverse range of enterprises can thrive.

Vision for the Future

Shevaun Haviland envisions a UK business landscape where:

1. SMEs thrive alongside large corporations, benefiting from fair regulations and supportive policies.

2. Sustainability is integrated into all business operations, driving environmental and social responsibility.

3. Education and business are closely linked, creating a workforce ready for modern challenges.

4. Global trade relationships are strengthened, ensuring UK businesses can compete internationally.

Her vision combines economic growth with social responsibility, setting a standard for purpose-driven leadership in the modern era.

Conclusion

Shevaun Haviland stands out as a transformative leader in British business. Her career spans management consultancy, corporate strategy, entrepreneurship, and public service, culminating in her current role as Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce. She has consistently demonstrated that business can be a force for good, advocating for SMEs, sustainable growth, and skills development.

While she maintains privacy regarding her age, family, and personal wealth, her professional impact is undeniable. Awarded a CBE and recognized for her contributions to UK business, Shevaun Haviland’s leadership combines vision, optimism, and purpose. As she continues to guide the BCC and influence UK policy, she remains a figure to watch for anyone interested in the future of business, trade, and economic development in the United Kingdom.