Mukesh Sharma, born in England, was raised in Northern Ireland within the Indian Community, and is a respected figure in the travel industry with over 30 years’ airline, travel industry and tourism experience in the UK, Irish and international markets. He is former Managing Director of World Travel Centre & Selective Travel, Northern Ireland.  Mukesh has exceptional breadth of experience in areas of business growth and acquisition, organisational change, partnership working and advocacy in developing international partnerships for which was he recognised when he was awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours List for ‘Services to the Travel Industry in Northern Ireland’. He also holds the title of Deputy Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, having been commissioned in 2015 by the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast to assist her in carrying out her civic duties on behalf of HM King Charles III. In a voluntary capacity, Mukesh serves as a Board member of a number of charities namely ArtsEkta, Moving on Music, Prince’s Trust, Goliath Trust and he chairs Barnardos NI advisory board. He has led many initiatives across Northern Ireland to promote the arts, community cohesion and the prevention of racism, sectarianism and hate crime. During the period 2006-2013, Mukesh held the position of Chair of Newtownabbey Borough Council Good Relations Partnership. He was asked in 2021 Bt The Secretary of State DCMS to join a board to report on contested heritage. Mukesh is currently NI Chair of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and chair  of the NI Policing Board.