The University of Surrey is highlighting the excellence in our black staff, alumni and contacts in this online panel event. The panel will be sharing their career experiences offering insights into their journey and hopes for the future. Hosted by Nathan Simpson from the widening participation team at the University of Surrey, our panel includes:

Stephen Elliot – Steve Elliott is a Counsellor at the Centre for Wellbeing at the University of Surrey with special responsibility for matters of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, in particular in issues of race and discrimination. He has been at Surrey University since 2017 having graduated in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Greenwich in 2016. Steve was born in South London in 1964 to Jamaican parents of the Windrush generation and has seen and experienced the developing attitude towards immigrant and minority cultures from the turbulent days of the 1970’s onward. He served as a Christian Minister in Crystal Palace, South London in the 1990’s.

Lisa Bent – is an accomplished HR professional, with over 9 years’ experience in creative and media industries, such as Turner, working with Damien Hirst, Omnicom Media Group. In December 2019, Lisa took the leap and left her standalone HR Business Partner role to finish her debut novel. Symona’s Still Single is a romance novel for self-help lovers, published in October 2020 by award winning publishing house Jacaranda Books in partnership with Audible and Foyles. She has written for The Independent, Stylist magazine, been featured in The Guardian and Bookseller. www.lisabent.com

Nina Kristofferson – Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at GSA University of Surrey. Nina is an International Multi-Award Winning Actor, Singer, Writer, Producer, Director and Teacher and she has won multiple awards. Her first musical play about Billie Holiday, Premiered and Sold-Out at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, followed by a successful 2012 tour culminating in a 2013 Sold-Out run in London’s West End, Charing Cross Theatre.

Folarin Oyeleye – studied Electronic Engineering at Surrey and was president of the Students’ Union from 2005 to 2006. He works as an investment advisor to ultra high net worth private banking clients, based in the London office of one of the largest American banks.

Please note: you will receive the link to join the event in your confirmation email when you register.