We believe that transparency and accountability are essential in any judging process, which is why we make sure to provide detailed information about each of our judges, including their credentials, areas of expertise, and professional affiliations. This allows entrants to see exactly who is evaluating their work and how their scores are being calculated.

We are proud to have such a distinguished group of judges on our panel and are confident that their expertise and dedication will help us to maintain the highest standards in all of our competitions.

Lata Sharma – Broadcaster | Commentator | Writer | Actor
Lata Sharma is a Northern Irish broadcaster, writer, actor, social commentator and community volunteer of Indian heritage. She began her career as an actor and musician but transitioned to media due to the limited roles available at the time for ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland’s theatre scene, as most stories and roles were based on Loyalist/Republican sectarian divisions and the Troubles. Her first major presenting role was on BBC N.I.’s The Back Page, which led to national opportunities on BBC’s Holiday, Country File, and followed by a few years on BBC Radio 2, where she hosted her own early morning show and covered evening slots.
She stepped back from national broadcasting to raise her 3 children but remained active in the industry, presenting a number of magazine style shows for independent productions on BBC N.I., while contributing to BBC Radio Ulster. Recently, she returned to national reporting for BBC’s Sunday Morning Live and hosted a 6 part series Roar Of The Greasepaint and BBC Radio Ulster’s Summer Social.
A respected voice on social, cultural, and diversity issues, Lata has written opinion columns and contributed to a range of societal topics on BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show, Radio 5Live, and U105.
Understanding the value of the Arts and having a passion for storytelling led Lata to write Sausage Sodas and Onion Bhajis, a one-woman show reaching out to the local community, reflecting her experiences of growing up as a teenager of Indian heritage in Northern Ireland during the Troubles; trying to “fit in,” navigating cultural clashes faced within her home with the sectarian divisions outside—blending comedy with tragedy. She later wrote and performed Anniversary Lockdown for BBC 4’s Splendid Isolation, made a guest appearance as a “token ethnic” in BBC N.I.’s Give My Head Peace, and wrote Rewinding, a short radio drama aired on BBC Radio 4’s United Kingdoms series.

Dr Minhas Mahsud is a Lecturer at Ulster University Business School, Belfast and chairs the Continuing Personal and Professional Development Working Group at the BAME Network. Originally hailing from Pakistan, she acquired the prestigious Chinese Government Scholarship to earn her doctorate degree in Business Management from Beihang University, China. While volunteering with the International Office in Beijing, she was recognized for her leadership skills and given the opportunity to work with diverse groups at the World Economic Forum. She is passionate about women’s education and professional development and has been actively involved in promoting EDI values at various forums. Minhas has acquired the Disability Positive accreditation and being a member of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, she is dedicatedly playing a role in creating a world where people and nature thrive. She is an active member of the Belfast Asian Women’s Academy where Asian women find inspiration and empowerment. Minhas lives in North Belfast with her husband and two teenage children and aspires to contribute to community development, intercultural awareness and integration. 

Andy George is the current President of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) in the United Kingdom and a serving police officer in the Police Service of Northern Ireland having joined the service in 1999.

The NBPA seeks to create a police service that represents, engages and delivers its services to all communities in a fair and equitable manner and represents around 6000 members in 47 local associations across the UK. As President, Andy works to improve support for members, liaises with senior leaders and wider stakeholders and engages with community groups from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Andy advices the National Police Chiefs Council, College of Policing, Independent Office of Police Complaints and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Service on racial equality, system change and police accountability. He also meets regularly with the government officials such as the Home Secretary and other key figures who are responsible for policing.

Orla McKeating is a passionate changemaker and advocate for equity, representation, and inclusive innovation in Northern Ireland. She is the founder of Still I Rise Diversity Storytelling, a dynamic organisation that uses the power of storytelling to amplify underrepresented voices, bridge cultural gaps, and cultivate empathy. This platform that delivers impactful school workshops, EDI training, community events, and a curated bookshop celebrating diverse identities and experiences.
Alongside this work, Orla is the Business Growth Manager at Innovation Factory Belfast, where she supports entrepreneurs and small businesses to scale and thrive. With a focus on inclusion and social impact, she mentors founders, fosters innovation, and connects businesses with the tools and networks they need to grow sustainably.