Building Resilience and Opening Doors for LGBTQIA+ Leaders

Junior Beaman is an award-winning Executive Coach, an ERG Leader at NatWest Group, and was awarded Top Facilitator for EMEA at the 2025 #IAmRemarkable Awards. A dedicated community volunteer and champion for inclusion, he is passionate about building resilience, fostering confidence, and opening doors for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I am an award-winning Executive Coach, ERG Leader, community volunteer, and #IAmRemarkable Facilitator based in the United Kingdom, working at NatWest Group.

What does Pride mean to you, and why is it important?
To me, Pride is about reflection, celebration, and determination. Reflecting on the progress of LGBT people and what we have overcome, celebrating the rights and freedoms we enjoy today thanks to previous generations and today's change-makers, and determination to secure those same rights and freedoms for LGBT people globally, and to never get complacent.

What has been your favourite moment from an #IAmRemarkable workshop?
So many to choose from, but what I've loved recently is seeing how the workshop inspires people and builds their confidence. It's been rewarding to be labelled the "IAmRemarkable parent" for new facilitators in our business, and I've loved watching them grow, reaching more and more colleagues both in our business and in the communities we serve. I particularly loved my workshop for the African Rainbow Family that I delivered this year.

What role do you think #IAmRemarkable can play in helping to support LGBTQIA+ people?

It helps us celebrate differences, be more curious, and recognise that every person has something that makes them Remarkable. With LGBT rights currently under attack on both a micro and macro scale, the workshop is a crucial enabler for LGBT people, building their confidence, which ultimately impacts resilience. The workshop can also help connect people and build communities, which is incredibly important right now as we are stronger united.

What do you think employers can do better to create spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to bring their full selves to work?
I think it starts with the level at which the culture is set. Statistics show that many LGBT people stop at middle management in their careers, so it's the role of senior leaders to show up as allies, to be curious, and to educate themselves in order to make positive changes in the workplace.
Leverage employee resource groups, review your policies and processes regularly, and always ask yourself: Is this equitable? Is this fair? Are all the relevant voices included? Listen, learn, and act.

What advice would you give to people who want to be better allies?

I would say start with honest reflection. If you could rate yourself from 1-10 on your understanding of LGBT issues, what would that number be? Then ask yourself, "What is the first small step I can make to increase that number by one?" Be curious, ask questions, actively listen, and role model the right behaviours in openly challenging where things aren't right. If you're in an influential position, ask yourself: "What doors could I open for LGBT people? And can I create a seat at the table?"

And we can’t end this interview without asking you: What makes you remarkable? 
I am Remarkable because the intersecting layers that make me who I am (being a black, gay man from a lower socio-economic background) have brought many challenges from childhood to today, but, in spite of this, I never let any of those experiences turn me into an angry person. I aspire to help others and create a better society for all. I always say I didn't become bitter, I became better.