Steering committee

Kelsie is the Co-chair of Pride in Luton. She was first elected in 2022 . She is the spokesperson for Pride, and engages with our partners, as well as supporting lots of the activities and outreach work. 

Rosie is the Co-chair of Pride in Luton. She was first elected in September 2023. She leads on our social activities and volunteering. 

Scott is the Treasurer of Pride in Luton. He was first elected in 2022. He looks after the finances and manages the charities relationships with the Culture Trust and Charity Commission. 

Peter is the Secretary of Pride in Luton, having been elected at the AGM in September 2023. Peter manages the administrative side of the committee meetings and trustee meetings. 

Jesus currently works for a London local authority working in social pedagogue in social care, mostly children and families services since 2005.

He came out to his family in his mid-thirties and is passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+ community to feel confident enough to be themselves and to help them with these conversations we all need to have with our friends and families at some point. 

Jesus moved here with his partner and their dog Lola. He is a native Spanish speaker, and has lived in Spain, France and now the UK. 

Sara got involved with Pride in Luton at the early stages to increase her understanding as a parent of a young person who identified as part of the LGBTIQ+ community. 

Sara brings a wealth of knowledge as a registered social worker.

In her spare time Sara enjoys running and can often be found at Park Run on a Saturday morning. 

This group focuses on the services we deliver as a charity and how we engage with the wider LGBTIQ+ community. 

Kelsie Holdstock -Lead

Elle Holdstock

Peter Norrington

This group focuses on the monthly social events we hold and supporting with other activities we take part in such as carnival. 

Rosie Bensu - Lead 

Scott Griffwood 

Natalie Ryan

Elizabeth Henry 

This group focuses on the fundraising side of Pride and working with our partners and supporters which make Pride in Luton possible

Shaun  Martinez - Lead 

Scott Griffwood 

This group focuses on the annual Pride in Luton festival which takes place in the summer. 

Kelsie Holdstock - Lead 

Scott Griffwood 

Elle Holdstock

Jesse Bryce

Rosie Bensu

Natalie Ryan 

Elizabeth Henry

We welcome members of the LGBTIQ+ community and allies to join our working groups to support the work of Pride in Luton. 

Those on the working groups also make up the steering committee that help drive forward Pride in Luton. Get in touch with  committee@prideinluton.org to find out more. 

Born in New Zealand, Jesse worked as a navigation officer on cruise ships before recently seeking stability and community here on land. 

Having made lifelong friends while working with people from all over the world, learning about their cultures and customs, Jesse's favourite part of the job was seeing such a diverse workplace come together even in such a high pressure environment.

After trading the ship life for life on land, Jesse now calls Lewsey home and has joined Pride In Luton to help bring our LGBTQ+ community together as Operations Lead, making sure our events are 'ship shape'.

Jesse geeks out on green tech and gardening, both a sure-fire  way to get him talking!

Jesse is one of the registered Trustees of Pride in Luton 

Kelsie is passionate advocate for the rights of women, young people and the LGBTQ+ community. An activist who has spoken out at All Party Parliamentary Group meetings, on TV and Radio about issues such housing, mental health and inequality.

Kelsie is a youth and community worker and teacher with over 10 years experience working in charities, for the local authority and the NHS. She is experienced in organising events and engaging communities both in the U.K. and abroad. Kelsie currently works as Sexual Exploitation Outreach Lead at Luton Sexual Health. 

Kelsie is a queer parent who aims to demonstrate that happy families come in all different shapes and sizes and should be celebrated accordingly. As co-chair of the Pride in Luton committee Kelsie hopes the event will not only bring Luton’s LGBTQ+ community together but be an opportunity for education, activism and awareness, as well as a fun celebration!

Kelsie is one of the registered Trustees of Pride in Luton 

Elle was born in Luton and has lived in the area her whole life. Between working at an LGBTQ+ nightclub, taking care of two small children and running her own business, 

Elle has taken on the role of  Trans Lead for Pride in Luton. Elle is passionate about working with local businesses to grow Pride in Luton and also has 15 years experience in putting her wife and our Co-Chair Kelsie's innovative ideas into reality.  

Elle is looking forwards to putting her organisational and planning skills to good use while being a positive role model for transgender youth growing up in the area. 

Elle is one of the registered Trustees of Pride in Luton 

Scott has been a LGBTQ+ activist and campaigner since 2004 when he first went to University in Liverpool. Since then Scott has been involved in numerous campaigns around equal marriage, pension legislation and the rights of those seeking asylum because of their sexuality.

Scott brings a wealth of experience to the team and has worked in education, parliament, national charities, and the civil service. He currently works for Luton Council as their Community Development Manager. In his day role he works to improve the lives of Luton residents through the lense of social justice and equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Scott has set up a number of successful community organisations in Luton and was awarded Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 2020/21 in the Love Luton awards for his work supporting Luton residents through the pandemic and the organisation he co-founded, Luton Community Action Group. 

In his spare time he enjoys skiing, baking and theatre. He has a cat called Bellatrix, and has recently married his life partner Paul

Scott is one of the registered Trustees of Pride in Luton 

Shaun moved to Luton from Portsmouth and is loving the town.  In Portsmouth he volunteered with a local charity setting up safe spaces around the city for people at risk. He also worked as an LGBTIQ+ refugee case worker enabling migrants and refugees get the support they need and most importantly a sense of community. Shaun has a wealth of fundraising experience and hopes to put that to good use and contribute to making Pride in Luton a space for everyone in the town all year round.

As his day job Shaun works as an international policy advisor on LGBTIQ+ rights with a focus on law reform and decriminalisation. He works closely with local groups, movements and networks supporting their agendas for change and inclusion.  It’s a great job working with fantastic people, even if the different time zones are a little confusing at times. 

In his spare time Shaun is found walking his dogs, Bouncer and Mollie, scouring the towns charity shops for a bargain, trying his hand at gardening or debating politics over a pint in the pub.

Shaun is happily married to Ryan who he met in the Philippines some years back and is the reason we are both lucky enough to be in Luton.

Shaun is one of the registered Trustees of Pride in Luton  

Rosie is a huge bundle of energy and heads up Pride in Luton volunteer’s team.  She brings a warmth that immediately puts a smile on your face. 

Rosie identifies as Pansexual and whilst she knew at 16 she was bi, it wasn’t till her 30’s she really knew she was Pan. 

She comes from a large family, and has 7 siblings, 2 of which are gay, so 3 out of 8 of them are LGBTQ+. Having grown up in a supportive family she recognises the strength it can bring to a person.  
 

She fully believe in her mantra of “Never underestimate the power of empowerment”, and this can come in many forms!! Pride being one of them.