Gary McMichael is founder and Chief Executive of ASCERT, a Northern Ireland charity providing services that address drugs, alcohol and mental health issues. He is a member of the Department of Health Substance Use Strategy Programme Board, Chair of the Belfast Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Team and sits on a number of other regional strategic groups related to health and social care.

Gary has worked in the voluntary and community sector for over 25 years, has served on the board of the Labour Relations Agency as well as a number of charities and charitable trusts. He was formerly an elected member of Lisburn City Council for 12 years until 2005.