ITV News' Leah Magras talks to Sharon Watson, CEO and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds.

A leading figure in the dance industry, Sharon uses her years of experience to help young dancers develop their careers. She's is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusivity within the creative industry.

Despite being one of the only black female leaders of a dance school in the UK, Sharon came from humble beginnings. Her talent and determination saw her propelled into a prominent position.

At the age of nine, Sharon fell in love with dance when she attended a dance class at her local school in Leeds. When she turned sixteen, she packed her bags to move to London where she honed her skills and later returned to her home city, where she joined the award-winning all-black dance group Phoenix Dance Theatre as one of its first female dancers.

Sharon often draws on her Caribbean culture as inspiration for her creative pieces. She choreographed a powerful and emotive dance production about the journey of the Windrush generation, which was commended by audiences and critics. She's been widely recognised for her influence, not only in the dance industry, but in society. Among her many accolades, she has received the Yorkshire Woman of the Year award.