Ammar Mirza CBE on an office with over 1,000 years of history, and what we can achieve together today.
The uniform catches the eye. The history commands respect. But ask Ammar Mirza CBE what becoming High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear means to him, and the conversation turns to other people.
The volunteer sustaining a community project. The police officer whose compassion goes unseen. The entrepreneur creating a job. The young person waiting for an opportunity.
“You become part of something much bigger than yourself,” he says. “The privilege lasts a year. The responsibility is to make it useful.”
For the Newcastle-born entrepreneur, that responsibility connects enterprise, education, investment, international trade and public service. It also brings a proudly “PunjGeordie” perspective to an ancient office.
“Punjabi heritage, Geordie roots. Family, hospitality, humour, hard work and helping others are values I recognise in both. I have never felt I had to choose between them.”
An ancient office with a living purpose
Dating back to Saxon England, the “Shire Reeve” represented the Crown within a county, collecting taxes and maintaining law and order.
Today, High Sheriff is an independent, non-political royal appointment held for one year. Supporting the Crown and judiciary remains central, alongside encouraging the police, prisons, probation, emergency services and voluntary organisations.
“People hear Sheriff and think of Robin Hood,” Ammar smiles. “Thankfully, collecting taxes and organising executions are no longer in the job description.”
His humour accompanies deep respect for the office and his predecessors.
“The traditions connect us with our history and remind us that justice and service carry responsibilities across generations. We honour that inheritance by making the office relevant today.”
Since his appointment for 2026-27, visits to courts, charities and community organisations have offered opportunities to listen and recognise service.
Northumbria Police’s Pride of Policing awards provided a particularly powerful insight.
“Behind the headlines are judgement, courage, compassion and teamwork. Officers, staff and volunteers make contributions we rarely see. Thanking them on behalf of our communities is a privilege.”
Ammar established AmmarM in 2005 and co-founded Asian Business Connexions with Jalf Ali in 2009, addressing inequality, strengthening relationships and widening access to business support.
ABC’s purpose remains straightforward. Connect, Support, Promote.
The SME Centre of Excellence followed in 2016. It reports supporting more than 20,000 SMEs and helping raise over £250 million in investment, reflecting the collective work of teams, partners and entrepreneurs.
“Behind every business is a person, often a family, and considerable courage. Taking on staff or investing your savings in an idea is significant.
“Our role is to understand the ambition and help people move forward through finance, skills, premises, introductions or an honest conversation.”
Enterprise education, he believes, has value far beyond business ownership.
“Solving problems, communicating, managing money and working with others gives you more choices, whatever future you pursue.”
From primary to prosperity
Sixteen years as Chair of Governors at Tyneview Primary School in Walker showed Ammar how early those choices can narrow.
“You see children full of imagination and ability. Then you ask who gets encouraged, who meets somebody inspiring and who experiences a workplace where they can picture themselves belonging.”
That experience helped shape the PIE Project, Primary Inspiration through Enterprise, and Primary to Prosperity, one of his two High Sheriff themes.
The ambition connects early aspiration with learning, qualifications, experience and routes into employment or enterprise.
The developing PIE Factory puts this into practice through collaboration between the SME Centre of Excellence, ABC and the PIE charity.
Its offer for 16 to 24-year-olds combines real business challenges with opportunities to gain enterprise or artificial intelligence qualifications and membership of the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs.
“Confidence grows when experience supports it. We want young people leaving with skills they can demonstrate and a clearer next step.”
The connection with community safety matters.
“Education, belonging and a realistic route forward all count. Schools, employers, charities and public services can achieve more when we connect our efforts.”
Inclusion people can experience
His second theme, Inclusion by Default, asks who is missing and what must change so they can participate.
“Saying everyone is welcome is a beginning. Can people find your opportunity, access it and believe it is meant for them? Listening helps us understand what needs to change.”
Three chaplains bring that commitment into his year. Imam Mohammed Roziur Rahman, Pundit Krishan Attri MBE and the Reverend Dr Peter Kayode Adegbie contribute Muslim, Hindu and Christian perspectives.
“They bring different traditions and a shared commitment to compassion and service. We can respect one another, learn together and contribute to our communities without sharing the same beliefs.”
North East roots. Global relationships
Through ISS, Ammar works with colleagues and partners connecting investment, innovation and internationalisation.
ISS Airview at Newcastle Airport provides a base for businesses exploring overseas markets and international companies considering the region. Logistics infrastructure supports trade, alongside a presence across 12 countries.
ISS India’s recent launch in Bengaluru, officially opened by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness during the Great North India Mission, extends those connections in both directions.
“Entering a new market becomes more realistic when somebody you trust understands the landscape. Our teams and partners provide local knowledge and practical support.
“Being a PunjGeordie helps me appreciate what we share across cultures while remaining proud of where I come from.”
For him, international reach should create local opportunity.
“A new customer can help a business grow. A partnership brings knowledge. Investment creates jobs. Our region’s businesses, universities and people have so much to offer globally.”
The people who make it possible
Awarded a CBE in 2014, Ammar also serves as Honorary Colonel of the 101st Northumbrian Regiment Royal Artillery. His own cadet experience helped develop his appreciation of teamwork, responsibility and service.
As a Together TV trustee, he supports community connection and positive social action. Show Business, his weekly Spice FM programme with Jalf Ali, makes enterprise accessible through conversation and shared experience.
He credits his late mother as his greatest influence and his wife and children for their support.
“My mother shaped my understanding of helping others. My family make so much possible. Public commitments involve time they generously share.
“Colleagues, volunteers and partners bring knowledge, energy and care. Every achievement here belongs to many people.”
What endures
Across these activities, the connections are clear. Growing businesses need capable people. Young people need experience and opportunity. Communities need trusted institutions and people prepared to serve.
His High Sheriff year offers an opportunity to strengthen those connections and celebrate the work already happening.
“Success means contributions recognised, useful relationships formed and doors opened. Some results will be public. Others will quietly change somebody’s life.”
So, High Sheriff. Higher Order?
For Ammar, the answer rests in the responsibility entrusted to him.
“You inherit the history for a year. You respect it through how you serve. If the opportunities and partnerships continue afterwards, we will have achieved something worthwhile together.”
The uniform catches the eye. What people achieve together is what he hopes will endure.
High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, Ammar Mirza CBE, is Chair and Founder of ABConnexions & Executive Chair of the AmmarM Group. He also serves as Honorary Colonel of the 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery and holds a range of roles across the public and private sectors as a leader in inclusive innovation, investment and internationalisation.
