About 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 Michael Harvey | Chair Michael Harvey (he/him) joined LGBT HERO’s Board in 2022 and became Chair of the organisation in 2026. He brings over a decade of leadership experience at HSBC UK alongside a long-standing passion for supporting LGBTQ+ communities and helping people thrive. Throughout his career, Michael has worked across a range of senior operational and leadership roles, with a strong focus on people, inclusion and organisational culture. He is particularly passionate about creating environments where people feel supported, heard and able to grow — values that strongly align with LGBT HERO’s mission. Alongside his professional career, Michael has been an active supporter of LGBTQ+ inclusion and community engagement, helping champion equality and visibility both within the workplace and beyond. Since joining the Board, Michael has supported LGBT HERO through a period of growth and development, helping strengthen the organisation’s governance while remaining closely connected to its community-led values. As Chair, Michael supports LGBT HERO through its next chapter of growth, helping strengthen its work in health, rights, peer-support and community connection for LGBTQ+ people across the UK. Ian Watters | Vice Chair Ian Watters (he/him) has been part of LGBT HERO’s Board since 2019 and currently serves as Vice Chair. He is passionate about improving the health, wellbeing and rights of LGBTQ+ people, with a particular interest in advancing visibility and inclusion for bisexual communities. Over the years, Ian has supported LGBT HERO through a period of significant growth and change, helping strengthen the organisation’s governance while staying closely connected to its community-led values. As Vice Chair, Ian works alongside the Chair and Board to help guide the organisation’s strategic direction and ensure LGBT HERO continues to provide trusted support, information and community connection for LGBTQ+ people across the UK. Slawek Kosecki | Treasurer Slawek Kosecki (he/him) joined LGBT HERO’s Board in 2026 and serves as Treasurer of the organisation. A qualified finance professional with extensive experience across financial governance, operations and audit, Slawek currently works at Channel 4, one of the UK’s leading public service broadcasters known for championing diversity and underrepresented voices. Slawek brings a strong background in financial oversight, strategic thinking and organisational governance, holding both FCCA and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) qualifications. Alongside his professional experience, he is passionate about inclusion, equality and helping organisations create meaningful impact within communities. As Treasurer, Slawek supports LGBT HERO’s financial governance and long-term sustainability, helping ensure the organisation can continue growing its work in LGBTQ+ health, rights, peer-support and community wellbeing across the UK. Slawek joins LGBT HERO with a strong belief in the importance of visibility, representation and building communities where LGBTQ+ people feel supported, connected and empowered. Tim O'Rahilly Tim (He/him) has been a board member since 2018. 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 Roland Brunner (he/him) 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. 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 Jonathan Haworth Jonathan Haworth (He/Him) joined LGBT HERO’s Board in 2023 and brings extensive experience from the international media and journalism sector. Based in London, Jonathon currently works as London News Editor at ABC News, where he leads coverage of major breaking news stories and global events. Throughout his career, he has also worked with organisations including CBS News, Sky News and Facebook. An award-winning journalist and newsroom leader, Jonathon is passionate about storytelling, public engagement and the role media can play in shaping understanding, visibility and social change. Alongside his journalism work, he is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ communities and helping organisations communicate with authenticity and impact. As a Board Member and Trustee of LGBT HERO, Jonathon supports the organisation’s mission to improve the health, wellbeing and rights of LGBTQ+ people across the UK. His experience across digital media, communications and public storytelling brings valuable insight as LGBT HERO continues to grow its voice and reach nationally. Mark Lewis Mark Lewis (He/Him) joined LGBT HERO’s Board in 2023 and brings extensive experience in government policy, political communications and public affairs. Based in London, Mark has built a career working across policy development, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications, with a strong interest in how public policy can improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. Alongside his professional work, Mark has a keen interest in HIV prevention, sexual health and LGBTQ+ wellbeing. He is passionate about the role community-led organisations can play in improving health outcomes, tackling stigma and ensuring LGBTQ+ people have access to trusted information and support. Since joining LGBT HERO’s Board, Mark has supported the organisation through a period of continued growth and development, helping strengthen its strategic thinking and public engagement work. As a Board Member and Trustee, Mark works alongside the wider Board and leadership team to support LGBT HERO’s mission of improving the health, rights and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people across the UK. Matthew Pomeroy Matthew Pomeroy (he/him) joined LGBT HERO’s Board in 2026 and brings over 20 years of experience working across the NHS, with a strong background in healthcare leadership, operational performance and patient care. Beginning his career as a registered nurse, Matthew has gone on to hold a range of senior leadership roles within NHS England, helping lead complex healthcare services and improvement programmes across the health system. Passionate about inclusion, wellbeing and improving health outcomes for underserved communities, Matthew brings both clinical insight and strategic leadership experience to LGBT HERO. His work has focused on creating high-performing, compassionate services that put people and communities at the centre of decision-making. Alongside his professional career, Matthew is committed to supporting LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing and joined LGBT HERO’s Board to help strengthen the organisation’s work tackling inequalities and improving support for LGBTQ+ communities across the UK. As a Trustee and Board Member, Matthew supports LGBT HERO’s ongoing growth and development, helping guide the organisation as it continues expanding its work in health, rights, peer-support and community connection. Taofique Folarin Taofique Folarin (he/him) is a public health practitioner, creative, and advocate who integrates public health, psychology, culture, and communication to address health inequities and promote culturally competent strategies. He is the HIV Prevention Coordinator and Digital Engagement Lead at Spectra within the London HIV Prevention Programme. As Founder and Director of TAF Collective CIC, he develops innovative, culturally responsive health equity and HIV awareness solutions. His work is informed by a background in psychology and leverages lived experience and an intersectional, culturally competent framework to advocate for more inclusive, accessible, and representative care systems. With 20 years as an actor on stage, television, and film, Folarin’s creative background also shapes his culturally informed approach to engagement and communication. Taofique represents the UK at the project board governance level on the international #aware.HIV research project and serves on the UK-CAB Steering Group, shaping strategy, policy, and advocacy for HIV. As a Trustee of LGBT HERO, he brings a strategic, interdisciplinary, and equity-focused perspective, emphasising co-production, institutional-community collaboration, and the advancement of cultural competency in health systems. 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] Manage Cookie Preferences