Hannah Collins (she/they)
Browne Jacobson LLP
Co-chair
I became involved in the Alliance Network because I believe that the LGBTQ+ community provides a family to those who don’t have one, benefit from shared experiences, and learning from one another. For me, the Alliance Network provides a professional context to the same effect. We embrace the diversity of the professional LGBTQ+ community, learn from one another by sharing good practice, and raise awareness through organising and promoting events and networking opportunities.
Lee Collishaw (he/him)
Ropewalk Chambers
Co-chair
I work as a Digital Marketing & Events Manager at Ropewalk Chambers. I have been involved with the Network since 2020 when the East Midlands group was first started and have been involved with various LGBTQ+ groups in Nottingham. I’m passionate about connecting with like minded individuals, highlighting issues that may affect LGBTQ+ individuals, prompting a strong sense of community and any opportunity to bring people together have a great time!
James Arrowsmith (he/him)
Browne Jacobson LLP
James is a partner at Browne Jacobson LLP and sponsor of the firm’s Pride Network. He was first introduced to Alliance Network in the West Midlands, and worked with the steering group to establish the network in the East Midlands. James and his husband have two children.
Ciara Fenton (she/her)
Browne Jacobson LLP
I’m Ciara Fenton, a technologist working for Browne Jacobson LLP. The Alliance Network gives me an opportunity to get involved in lots of great initiatives, to share my skills and experience, but more importantly, to learn from other people’s experiences. Collectively, I believe that we offer a great deal to professionals across the Midlands, and I am proud to say that I am part of such a wonderful group of people. Our online offering is really important, providing accessible advice to people looking to set up their own pride communities. What I really enjoy are the in-person events and the opportunity to talk to people about how they are making a difference in their own organisations.
Kieran Halpin-Danby (he/him)
Boots
Hi! I’m Kieran, I work for Boots, and have been on the Alliance Network steering committee since 2023. My day job is in our Finance department and I am also part of the Boots internal “Pride Alliance” network which is ran by our Team Members. I wanted to get involved in the Alliance Network as we are the biggest employer in the East Midlands but as an Business Resource Group we are interested in connecting with other LGBTQ+ networks outside of Boots, so I wanted to be involved in a space where I could get support from those who have done the same as us, and get access to best practice ideas and resources.
Jacob Luczak (he/him)
Shoosmiths
I have been involved in the Alliance Network since September 2023, wanting to make a change to my local community and to support all size organisations with additional LGBTQ+ resources as well as networking opportunities. I am also the chair of Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions, a Shoosmiths’ employee network, and a member of the Equality & Diversity sub-committee at the Nottinghamshire Law Society.
Pippa Armstrong (they/them)
Alstom
Almost two years after becoming the chair of Alstom’s LGBTQ+ employee network, Voices of Pride+, I joined the Alliance Network in December 2024. Rail and heavy manufacturing are often very male- dominated and sometimes old- fashioned industries, and although there has been a huge push for more diversity and inclusion in recent years, I felt that we had a lot to learn from networks operating in contexts with more mature inclusion cultures. I’ve seen how much people’s lives can change when they’re able to relax and come to work without hiding part of their identity, so I’m keen to support anyone else trying to do that in their workplace.
The Alliance Network 