Dr Mikelis graduated in naval architecture from the University of Newcastle and obtained Master's and Doctorate degrees from London University.

He has worked in ship classification; and then for a shipping company as superintendent, technical manager and then director. In 2006 he joined the International Maritime Organization, from where he retired at the end of 2012 as Head, Marine Pollution Prevention and Ship Recycling section. Currently he is non-executive director of GMS, the world's leading cash buyer, and independent consultant.

He has served in senior positions in shipping industry bodies, such as Council Member of INTERTANKO, Chairman of the "INTERTANKO Safety, Technical & Environmental Committee", member of the "Safety of Navigation & Protection of the Marine Environment Committee" of the Union of Greek Shipowners, and Chairman of the London Greek Technical Committee of Det norske Veritas.

He has written over 50 learned papers and numerous articles in the maritime press and is a freeman of the City of London.