Leicester has appointed Akshay Sharma, also known as Mr Shay, as its first-ever Poet Laureate.
He will hold the position until September 2027, representing the city through poetry and promoting the art form across local communities.
Picture credit: Kulvir Bhambra
A native of Leicester’s Belgrave area, Akshay is a poet, performer, and educator with over ten years of experience. He runs The Underground Creatives, a project delivering performing arts and poetry workshops mainly for young people. His work celebrates Leicester’s diversity, telling stories from different communities, including South Asian immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and refugees.
Akshay’s poetry draws heavily from hip-hop and spoken word traditions, combining rhythm and storytelling to challenge the idea that poetry is outdated or inaccessible.
“Poetry today is alive — it’s in music, protests, and everyday expression,” Akshay says. “It’s a powerful way to share stories.”
Before pursuing poetry full-time, Akshay almost became a doctor but chose to follow his passion for the arts instead, a decision he describes as both risky and rewarding.
Picture credit: Tom Morley
He describes his role as Poet Laureate not as a title for status but as a responsibility to connect communities through poetry.
“I want to keep poetry grounded and connected to the people of Leicester,” he says. “It’s about telling stories that matter.”
Akshay’s appointment marks a historic moment for Leicester, giving the city a dedicated voice to celebrate its culture and diversity through poetry.
