Originally intending to pursue a career in professional tennis (he was a ball boy at the 1969 Australian Open), Sheard settled instead on working as an architect, and studied architecture at the Queensland Institute of Technology (now Queensland University of Technology).
In 1999 he led Populous to win the competition to design the new Wembley Stadium, in collaboration with Foster + Partners.
The redesign removed the stadiums two iconic towers, replacing them with the present arch.
[5] Throughout the following years Sheard led the London studio through projects such as Ascot Racecourse and the redevelopment of the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, including the new Centre Court's closing fabric roof.
[7] In 2002, the University of Luton conferred on Sheard the distinction of an honorary degree of Doctor of Science.