General Dame Sharon Nesmith DCB ADC

The first female four-star general and the highest-ranking military officer in the British Army.

This portrait is part of the Empowering Her Collection, featuring the women shaping Britain today.

A woman who focused on duty, and changed history along the way.

Nesmith never aimed to be the “first” woman. She focused on doing her job well.

Her leadership was built through competence, consistency and strength, in spaces where women were rarely expected to rise. It reflects a shift from a time when women faced structural limits, to a military now working to remove barriers for the next generation.

During the portrait sitting, Nesmith spoke about leadership as service rather than status.

Her career reflects steady progression in an institution that has undergone significant cultural change, from one that limited women’s roles, to one where women now lead at the highest level.

This portrait captures that shift, not as a moment of arrival, but as part of a longer legacy of mentorship, professionalism and possibility for future servicewomen.

In Conversation: behind the portrait

An edited excerpt from the conversation between Caroline de Peyrecave and General Dame Sharon Nesmith, recorded during the portrait’s unveiling at the Private View.

Caroline: Tell me, what do you think about the headshot?

General Sharon: I love it. It’s the eyes. I find it quite emotional.

Caroline: I just had to paint you in your combats because this one’s for you.

General Sharon: Yes, thank you, that’s what I associate with more.

Caroline: As I was doing the final touches, I starting adding this little rosy tone. I feel it adds that touch of femininity.

General Sharon: Yes, it's the femininity, and it's the authenticity. It's the authenticity of speaking with my eyes, which is very special. You’re very talented.

Caroline: Who you are underneath is what really matters.

General Sharon: Yes, exactly. Really important, symbolic things. For me, it's the personality that sits behind the face. The thing that makes us tick.

Caroline: Are you ready for the big portrait?

General Sharon: I don't look like a man, thank you. (visibly moved).

Caroline: You never could look like a man. You look like you.

General Sharon: That’s important. Thank you, well done.

Caroline: I quite naturally just started painting the background. I wasn’t sure if I wanted it blue, pink, green. And then I thought, in a world where it’s a grey area, still very masculine and male-dominated, but then we have the weight of the feminine coming in.

General Sharon: And I’m sort of sitting naturally. Well, you did that. You made me sit naturally.

General Sharon: Well done you, it’s lovely. And if that's not an empowered woman, I don't know what is. It talks about authority – but with the person still behind it. It’s really super.

Watch the full conversation with all eight sitters

Recorded at Green & Stone Gallery at the Private View of Empowering Her. This conversation features Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Emma Barnett, Sally Phillips, Lady Phyll, Daryl Fielding, Zoe Stratford and General Dame Sharon Nesmith.

  • “Thank you for seeing us for who we are.”

    — General Dame Sharon Nesmith

Explore the collection

  • Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe Portrait Thumbnail

    Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

    A writer, mother and human rights advocate, Nazanin’s six years of unjust imprisonment demanded extraordinary resilience.

  • Sally Phillips

    Comedian, actor and writer, Sally Phillips has built a career by telling the truth through humour.

  • General Dame Sharon Nesmith

    The first female four-star general and the highest-ranking military officer in the British Army, General Nesmith's career has reshaped what's possible for women in the Army.

  • Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah

    Co-founder of UK Black Pride and a global LGBTQ+ advocate, Lady Phyll has spent her life creating space for others to exist fully and safely.

  • Emma Barnett

    Award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Emma has built a career centred on listening deeply.

  • Zoe Stratford

    Captain of England’s Red Roses and World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year, Zoe has become one of the defining leaders in women’s rugby.

  • Daryl Fielding

    Marketing leader and creative force behind Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, Daryl Fielding helped transform how women and girls see themselves.

  • Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock

    Space scientist, educator and broadcaster, Dr Maggie has spent her career opening up science to wider audiences who’ve never seen themselves reflected in STEM.