Chair of NI Screen pen picture

David Sterling joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) in 1978. His career highlights include his time as Permanent Secretary in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (2009–2014) and the Department of Finance (2014-2017).

He became Head of the NICS in June 2017 managing critical challenges including Brexit negotiations and the delivery of public services in the absence of Ministers. He helped secure the New Decade, New Approach agreement and the return of devolved government in January 2020 and then assisted the new Executive in its response to the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic before his retirement in August 2020.

Post-retirement, Sir David chairs NIE Networks and Northern Ireland Screen. He is an Associate with EY and Vice Chair of Catalyst Inc and Ulster Wildlife. He is also a non-executive director of the Irish Times Trust and Inspire Wellbeing.

He was Knighted in the Birthday Honours in 2020 and awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Queen’s University in 2024. He was admitted as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2025 for his extensive contributions to public service, cross-border cooperation, and societal development in Northern Ireland and beyond.