Alok Sharma

Alok Sharma – Life, Career, and Notable Thoughts

Alok Sharma (born September 7, 1967) is a British Conservative politician of Indian origin, known for his leadership of COP26 and his ministerial roles in business, energy, and international development. Explore his biography, political influence, and key quotes.

Introduction

Alok Kumar Sharma, now styled Baron Sharma, is a prominent British politician whose work spans climate diplomacy, government ministries, and economic policy. Born in India but raised in the UK, he rose from a professional background in finance and accountancy into the corridors of power in Westminster. He is perhaps best known internationally for his presidency of COP26, where he played a central role in brokering the Glasgow Climate Pact. His journey reflects the intersections of global responsibility, public service, and personal identity.

In this article, you’ll learn about the life and career of Alok Sharma, his key contributions, his perspectives as reflected in quotes, and the lessons one might draw from his path.

Early Life and Education

Alok Sharma was born on 7 September 1967 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.

When he was about five, his family relocated to Reading, England, where he grew up in constituencies such as Earley and Whitley Wood.

He attended Presentation College and Reading Blue Coat School before going on to study at the University of Salford, graduating with a BSc in Applied Physics with Electronics in 1988.

After university, Alok qualified as a chartered accountant, training at Deloitte Haskins & Sells (later Deloitte) in Manchester. He then embarked on a career in corporate finance and investment banking, working in London, Stockholm, and Frankfurt with firms such as Nikko Securities and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB).

Through this time he gained experience in cross-border mergers, acquisitions, listings, and restructurings.

Political Entry and Parliamentary Career

Entry into Parliament

Alok Sharma entered active politics with the Conservative Party. He was selected as the Conservative candidate for Reading West in 2006 and was subsequently elected as Member of Parliament (MP) in the 2010 general election, succeeding Labour MP Martin Salter.

He then held that seat through successive elections (2015, 2017, 2019), increasing or maintaining his majorities in many instances.

In September 2023, he announced he would not seek re-election in the next general election.

At the 2024 Dissolution Honours, he was nominated for a life peerage. On 20 August 2024, he was created Baron Sharma, of Reading, and thus became a member of the House of Lords.

Government Posts & Major Roles

Junior Ministerial Positions

• Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Asia & Pacific (Foreign & Commonwealth Office): July 2016 – June 2017

• Minister of State for Housing and Planning: June 2017 – January 2018

  • During this time, he was heavily involved in the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire, notably giving a Commons statement in July 2017, where he was visibly moved.

• Minister of State for Employment (Department for Work & Pensions): January 2018 – July 2019

Cabinet & Leadership Roles

• Secretary of State for International Development: July 2019 – February 2020

  • In this role, he pushed for aligning UK aid with climate goals, sustainable infrastructure, and women's rights.

• Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy: February 2020 – January 2021

  • In this period, the UK was navigating the COVID-19 crisis; Sharma played a role in supporting business response, energy policy, and green industrial planning.

  • He oversaw the government’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution and was involved in the acquisition of OneWeb satellite communications assets.

• President (COP26): Appointed in early 2021, he became full-time President of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, which was eventually held in Glasgow in November 2021.

  • Under his stewardship, nearly 200 countries negotiated and signed the Glasgow Climate Pact.

  • He retained the role beyond 2021, albeit with shifts in his Cabinet status under subsequent prime ministers.

In recognition of services to climate change, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in the 2023 New Year Honours.

Key Contributions & Historical Significance

Climate Leadership & Diplomacy

Alok Sharma’s tenure as COP26 President is perhaps his most globally visible role. He was credited with managing delicate negotiations among developed and developing nations, pushing for stronger commitments on emissions reductions, finance for climate adaptation, and accountability mechanisms.

His leadership style during the COP drew praise for being calm, diplomatic, and resolute—earning him a reputation sometimes dubbed “No Drama Sharma.”

He also pushed for the UK’s green industrial plan and energy transition policies during his stint as Business Secretary.

Policy & Public Stewardship

Beyond climate, Sharma had influence in areas such as UK aid, infrastructure, housing, and employment. In the housing portfolio he was directly confronted with tragedies like Grenfell, which exposed gaps in regulation, building safety, and social responsibility.

His background in finance contributed a level of familiarity with capital markets, investments, and cross-border deals—skills useful in policy that requires mobilizing private finance for public goals.

His announcement to stand down as an MP reflected a personal turn, transitioning into the House of Lords and allowing him to continue influencing policy from the upper chamber.

Personality, Approach & Philosophy

Alok Sharma is often portrayed as earnest, diligent, and steady. His path—from finance to politics, from local constituency to global climate diplomacy—demonstrates a bridging of technical competence and public service.

He prefers a pragmatic approach: bringing people together across divisions, focusing on consensus, and often emphasizing that ambitious goals must be underpinned by credible plans and resources.

In his public statements, he emphasizes shared responsibility, international cooperation, and the moral imperative of climate action.

Because of his Indian heritage and upbringing in the UK, he also embodies a kind of transnational identity: someone who can speak both to British domestic concerns and global responsibilities, particularly regarding the Global South.

Selected Quotes of Alok Sharma

Here are several notable quotations that reflect his perspectives:

• “Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, identifying treatments to diseases like cancer, and harnessing the power of robotics and artificial intelligence to support everyday tasks are all within our grasp. The first country that gives birth to these discoveries will change life as we know it.”

• “Before I entered politics, I worked for more than 15 years in corporate finance in the City, where I saw for myself the value of foreign investment. Simply put, it is a catalyst for prosperity.”

• “Obviously, the $100 billion goal was first talked about in 2009 … report after report internationally suggests that we’re going to have to mobilize trillions of dollars a year to support the transformation of economies around the world.”

• “This has effectively ended public finance for overseas coal projects; to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, all countries need to raise their ambition and act urgently to consign coal to history.”

• “The four home nations that make up our United Kingdom are bound together by historic links. We have, and always will be, better together.”

• “Britain is committed to peace and security, and a leading supporter of the international rules-based system.”

• “Coronavirus has challenged daily life in Britain in a way not seen for generations.”

These quotes show his focus on global challenges (climate change, health, technology), his belief in multilateralism, and his sense of duty.

Lessons from Alok Sharma’s Career

1. Technical competence matters in high policy roles. Sharma’s background in finance and accountancy provided him a foundation for dealing with complex international climate finance, business regulation, and investments.

2. Bridging local and global responsibilities is possible. He has balanced constituency service with diplomatic leadership on climate change.

3. Calm diplomacy can move difficult negotiations. His style during COP26 illustrates that skilled mediation and quiet persistence matter when stakes are high.

4. Policy must be backed by credible resources. His repeated emphasis on mobilizing trillions—not just talking billions—underscores that ambition without backing fails.

5. Public service can evolve over time. Transitioning from the Commons to the Lords signals adaptability and continued engagement even beyond electoral roles.

Conclusion

Alok Sharma’s journey—from Agra to Reading, from finance to Westminster, and from national politics to global climate stewardship—presents a model of service that combines expertise, humility, and internationalism. While debates about the pace and depth of climate policy continue, his role in guiding the world toward the Glasgow Climate Pact will remain a key chapter in the story of 21st-century climate diplomacy.