Speakers - Unionreps Connect 2023

Anne Alexander, Learning Director - Cambridge Digital Humanities

Anne's research interests include the ethics of big data and the political economy of the Internet. Anne is a member of the Data Ethics Group at the Alan Turing Institute and a member of the Steering Group of the Trust and Technology Strategic Research Initiative.

Sharon Bryan, Head Of Partnerships & Development Of Domestic Abuse Services - National Centre for Domestic Violence

Sharon has had 26 years’ experience of working in the field of domestic abuse. She has worked front line with survivors of domestic abuse in refuges and as a consultant co-located within children’s services departments.

Andrea Oates, Pay and bargaining expert - LRD

Andrea Oates, Freelance journalist and contributor to LRD publications. Andrea will be standing in for Lewis Emery, LRD pay and bargaining expert, writer and researcher at the Labour Research Department (LRD). Lewis has written numerous articles for LRD on a wide variety of subjects, including pay bargaining, sickness absence and labour market trends.

Mikey Erhardt and Bethany Bale - Disability Rights UK

Both Mikey and Bethany are Policy and Campaigns Officers for Disability Rights UK, the UK’s leading organisation led by, run by, and working for disabled people. Both are experienced campaigners with lived understanding of the challenges encountered by disabled individuals in the workplace.

Lois McCallum, Digital Campaigner - TUC

Lois helps run Megaphone - a free online platform that allows unions and reps to set up online petitions to support their campaigns. Lois supports unions to use new digital tactics for organising and campaigning, including using peer-to-peer texting to beat ballot thresholds.

Emma McLean, Head of Mediaton - Acas

Emma leads a team of conciliation managers to deliver dispute resolution services across the country. An experienced and highly skilled mediator one of Emma’s key focus areas is to lead and develop Acas’ individual mediation service. 

Joan McNulty, Chair of UNISON National and North West Health and Safety Committees

Joan has been part of a trade union for 38 years, and her passion is health and safety. She was the convenor for the Stress Network for five years, and regularly delivers workshops on health and safety and stress.

Paul Nowak, General Secretary - TUC

Paul became a union member aged 17 while working at Asda. In 2023 he was appointed TUC General Secretary. Paul has led numerous high profile campaigns including against the government's plans for regional pay in the public sector and improved safe working guidance during the pandemic.

Joanna Nunn, Assistant Chief Conciliator Acas

Joanna is an accomplished faciliator and supports organisations and trade unions through conciliation. She has been a mediator for 15 years and works with organisations to design and introduce mediation schemes. Through her work at Acas, Joanna has gained considerable experience and knowledge of conflict management and dispute resolution.

Jane Perry, Professional coach - formerly BBC and BECTU

Jane worked as a runner, location manager and director for BBC Drama for 18 years, and then as a full-time BECTU official within the BBC for a further 10 years. Jane has supported union members who have experienced bullying as well as members that have been accused of bullying.

Ivor Riddell, Union rep - RMT

Ivor is a longstanding union rep and Learning Development Project Worker for the RMT. Ivor has a wealth of experience as a rep negotiating on behalf of members across union learning, health and safety and employment rights.

Dominic Rothwell, South East Regional Officer - Unite

Before becoming a regional officer, Dom was a Unite Reps at Gatwick Airport branch.

An experienced pay negotiator, Dom was instrumental in helping Gatwick workers secure an inflation beating pay increase of 16%.

Rebecca Sixsmith-Hughes - TUC

Rebecca leads the TUC’s project to find the movement’s next generation of workplace representatives.

Before joining the TUC, Rebecca was a Unite branch chair representing British Airways cabin crew at Gatwick before becoming a full time official for UNISON.

Mary Towers, Employment Rights Policy Officer - TUC

Mary currently leads a TUC project on the use of artificial intelligence at work. The project has developed an AI manifesto and  guidance for union reps on AI at work. Before joining the TUC, Mary worked as an employment lawyer and writer, and has a wealth of experience working for trade unions.

Brian Wilson, Regional Employment Rights Manager - Thompsons Solicitors

Brian has specialised in employment law since 2000, successfully acting for unions and their members. Brian’s specialisms include TUPE, discrimination, collective bargaining and employment tribunal processes and procedures.

Charlotte Woodward, National Training Manager - National Centre for Domestic Violence

Charlotte has many years of experience delivering training on behalf of organisations and local authorities.

Charlotte has worked with high risk, high harm perpetrators of domestic abuse to help them address and change their behaviour.