Greenwich Portraits
Earlier this year we unveiled three new Greenwich Portraits, celebrating outstanding alumni from our LGBT+ community.
Each portrait is testament to the diversity of fields in which Greenwich graduates make their mark and highlights the brilliant and life-changing impact they are making in the UK and globally.
Community is at the heart of what we do which is why we have created a dedicated safe space for our LGBT+ alumni to connect, network and socialise on Ask Alumni+.
Beverley Milner Simonds, BA Operations Management, 2001
Co-Founder, eat:Festivals
Beverley Milner Simonds is co-founder and director of eat:Festivals, a social enterprise which specialises in creating opportunities for towns and communities in the south west of England.
In 2012, Beverley and her wife Sarah wanted to make a difference and create ‘something awesome’ in their hometown. eat:Festivals brings together the best of West Country food and drinks producers across the south west of England to create opportunities for the local community and bring locals together.
Beverley’s time at Greenwich was a whirlwind – she began her degree in operations management in 1996, first studying at the Woolwich campus before finishing her course at the Greenwich campus in 2001.
“You will find allies and friends in unusual places… When you find people who you have something in common with and who make you happy, hang on to them and enjoy the journey.”
AJ Frances, BSc Film and Television Production, 2013
Global Head of Diversity, Equity And Inclusion, Trustpilot
AJ Frances is the Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Trustpilot and while at Experian, founded their Pride LGBTQ+ network.
AJ came out as gay in 2015 after being inspired by their younger sister. A couple of years later, AJ would then come out as trans. “Living any other way wasn’t possible anymore and I wanted to live, I chose to live.”
It’s been a real journey for them, but with the support and love from their family, friends and fantastic colleagues, AJ has felt great relief in accepting themselves and sees every challenge as an opportunity to learn rather than a failure.
“When I was younger, I felt like I had to fit into a box and I didn’t really understand what box that was. But you don’t have to. Your experiences are your own and you are valid.”
Erasmo Sánchez Herrera, MSc Business and Financial Economics, 2007
Vice President, Global Division at The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Erasmo Sanchez Herrera is the Vice President for the Global Division at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and supports LGBT+ chamber of commerce across the world to grow, connect with corporates, and advance global supplier diversity efforts.
After completing his undergraduate studies in the United States, Erasmo felt the need to study and live abroad. He chose London for its multicultural environment and Greenwich for its excellent variety of programmes. He applied for a Master of Science in Business and Financial Economics and knew it was the perfect opportunity to experience student life abroad.
As someone who identifies as LGBT+ and had to discover who he was and his place within the LGBT+ community, being your authentic self is hugely important to Erasmo. He also wants others to make sure they never limit themselves.
“I know that once you show up as your authentic self, you truly come into your own person. It allows you to begin to live your life, and eventually guide you to who you want to become. Do not limit yourself or put yourself into a box.”
We would like to say a special thanks to the photographer and Greenwich Portrait, Tom Dingley for working with us to bring this project to life.
Tom Dingley, Greenwich Portrait
Sophie Hassell-Richardson
Supporter Engagement Officer
Marketing and External Relations
