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Date: 15 Jan 2024
Councillor Sammy Douglas is Belfast’s new High Sheriff.
The DUP councillor, who represents the Titanic area of east Belfast, was sworn in today (Monday 15 January) at a special ceremony in City Hall.
He becomes the 124th High Sheriff of Belfast and replaces former councillor John Kyle in the role.
Looking ahead to his new responsibility, Councillor Douglas said: “I am honoured to take up the role of High Sheriff in what promises to be a really exciting year for Belfast.
“I look forward to working with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor throughout the year ahead and seeing more of our fantastic city and its citizens.”
Councillor Douglas has been involved in social, economic and physical regeneration and development in the east of the city since the 1980s and has also worked in a range of mediation and reconciliation roles.
He served in the Northern Ireland Assembly from 2011 to 2017 and was co-opted onto Belfast City Council as a representative for the Lisnasharragh DEA in June 2022.
He was returned to council, this time as a representative for Titanic DEA, at the most recent council elections in May 2023.
Councillor Douglas was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty the Queen in 2002 for Services to the Community and has also been honoured with a Commendation for Outstanding Leadership by the US Department of Commerce.
The new High Sherriff will take up office for a full calendar year and join a team of civic dignitaries that includes Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, and Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Áine Groogan.
For more information on the role of the High Sheriff, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council