About Us Board Members LGBT HERO relies on volunteers to become board members. The role of board members is to oversee the running of LGBT HERO and to make sure we follow the aims and objectives of the charity. Currently there are eight board members. Meet the board Alan Palmer | Chair Alan is Chair of LGBT HERO and has volunteered for the charity since 2012, joining the Board in June 2015. He was Chair of Bristol LGBT Forum from 2009-2011, and volunteered extensively for a number of years on a range of advocacy projects, including for gay men's sexual health, relationships education for young people, and LGBT equalities. As a volunteer for LGBT HERO, he has worked on mass media campaigns, FS planning, RVT Sports Day, marched at Pride and spoken on behalf of the organisation at events. He has been a school governor since 2012, and is currently chair of an academy in south London. Professionally, Alan has worked in education policy for over 15 years, taking up various roles in government, research funders and representative organisations. His current role is as Head of Policy and Research with an organisation representing a number of universities to promote and advocate for higher education policies that aim to ensure university remains an option for all students, including those from diverse backgrounds. Tim O'Rahilly | Vice Chair Tim has been a board member since 2018 and is currently LGBT HERO's vice chair. Tim has been a long time supporter of LGBT HERO and the work we do through GMFA. Tim is very passionate about tackling mental illness and suicide within the LGBTQ+ community. Roland Brunner | Treasurer Roland has been involved with LGBT HERO on and off for several years and decided in 2018 that he should take things further and apply for a role on the board. In 2019 he became the treasurer of the organisation and officially oversees finances. Professionally, Roland is a management consultant specialising in process improvement, implementing efficient organisations, change & transformation and executive coaching. He has been doing this for more than two decades. In his spare time, he is involved in the Church of England and recently became a first aider in mental health. John Stone John moved to London in 1995 from the Forest of Dean, after a detour of several years via Plymouth University where he studied Business and Finance. Since 1995, John has worked for a national builders merchant in various roles such as stocking taking, customer service, sales & purchasing administration, product procurement and system administration. Over that time he has also been part of the project teams that oversaw the introduction and training of internal computer systems. John has been a LGBT HERO volunteer for since 2014 helping out in the office on occasions, along with Sports Day, bucket rattling and helping out at other fundraising events. Paul Raybould Paul joined LGBT HERO's Board in 2019. His background is in marketing and communications. Ian Watters Ian joined LGBT HERO's Board in 2019. He is keen about furthering the health and rights of bisexual people. Andrew Goodhead Andrew joined LGBT HERO's board in 2021. Peter Brampton Peter joined LGBT HERO's board in 2021. Nicolas Ventosa Nicolas was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been living in London since 2016. He is a psychologist specialised in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and has worked with diverse populations in different mental health settings.Nicolas is currently developing a career in public health and LGBTQ+ activism. He believes that collective trauma is one of the most urgent public health matters for queer communities and wants to be an agent of healing. Get involved / become a board member LGBT HERO is aware that our board is underrepresented from women, the trans community and people from minority backgrounds. If you represent any of these groups and would like to stand for the board contact LGBT HERO's Chief Executive, Ian Howley and he will be happy to provide more information. Email [email protected]