Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Employment Relations Minister, Lord Young, has announced the appointment of three new members to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) Council.
Professor Linda Dickens, Dr Mary Bousted and John Hannett will replace three members who are stepping down at the end of their current appointment on 30 April.
Professor Linda Dickens is Professor of Industrial Relations at Warwick Business School, University of Warwick and fills the vacancy as an Independent Member of the Acas Council. She currently serves as Disputes Arbitrator and Mediator at the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service Panel and is also a Deputy Chairman at the Central Arbitration Committee.
Dr Mary Bousted is currently General Secretary to the Association of Teachers & Lecturers and has been appointed as an Employee Representative Member.
John Hannett is currently General Secretary of Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. He also serves as a Commissioner to the Low Pay Commission and has been appointed as an Employee Representative Member.
The term of appointment is for a period of three years.
Ed Sweeney, Acas Chair said:
“I am delighted to welcome our new colleagues to the Acas Council. They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience. We may face difficult times ahead in the world of employment relations and I look forward to working with them to help Acas continue its role as Britain’s leading employment relations service and industrial peacemaker.”
Additional information:
1. Acas aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. They provide up-to-date information, independent advice, high-quality training and work with employers and employees to solve workplace problems and improve performance. More information can be found at www.acas.org.uk. It is an independent statutory body governed by a Council of twelve consisting of the Acas Chair, employer, trade union and independent members.
2. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.
3. The new appointment was made following an open selection process conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice and other guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, and in conformity with section 248 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
4. The appointments are for three years, ending on 30 April 2013. They will each receive an annual payment of £1695 and, in addition, £172 for each day they work on Council business.
5. Linda Dickens career in brief:
•Professor of Industrial Relations at Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, 1991 to date
•Reader in Industrial Relations, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, 1987-91
•Lecturer, School of Industrial and Business Studies, University of Warwick, 1985-87
•Australian Studies Fellow, University of Wollongong, NSW, 1984-85
•Senior Research Fellow, ESRC Industrial Relations Research Unit, 1976-84
•Research Fellow, Economic Social Research Council (ESRC), 1971-76
Committee Membership/representations:
•Member of Executive Committee of the International Industrial Relations Association 2001-2007
•President of the British Universities Industrial Relations Association from 1998-2001
•Vice Chair of the Industrial Law Society (1992 – 1995).
Other Ministerial appointments
•Deputy Chair of the Central Arbitration Committee since 1994
•Acas mediator and arbitrator since 1987.
6. Dr Mary Bousted career in brief:
•General Secretary to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), from 2003 to present
•Head of School of Education, Kingston University, 1999–2003
•Head of Secondary Education, Edge Hill College, 1997–99
•Director of Initial Teacher Training, University of York, 1995–97
•PGCE Course Leader of English, University of York, 1991–95
•Head of English, Whitmore High School, Harrow, 1988–91
•English teacher, Bentley Wood High School, Harrow, 1982–87.
Committee Membership/representations:
•Guest lecturer at London Metropolitan, Sussex and Kingston Universities
•Member of the Teaching Awards Trust Board, 2007 to present
•Deputy Chair of Co-ordinating Committee, Justice for Colombia
•Chair of Union Learn Board, 2009 to present
•Member of TUC Executive, 2008 to present
•Member of TUC General Council, 2003 to present.
7. John Hannett career in brief:
•General Secretary of Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), 2004 to present
•USDAW, Deputy General Secretary, 1997–2004
•USDAW, National Officer, 1990–97
•USDAW, Area Organiser, 1985–90.
Committee Membership/representations:
•TUC Executive Committee, 2004 to present
•TUC General Council, 2004 to present
•TUC UnionLearn Board, 2006-08
•Women and Work Commission, 2004-06
•Skillsmart Board, 2004-06
•Russell Commission Independent Advisory Group, 2004-05
•Unity Trust Bank, 2004 to present
•Trade Union Fund Managers, 2005 to present
•Mersey Deaf Centre, 2003-06.
Political activities
Labour Party National Executive Committee, 1998-2005
Other Ministerial appointments
Commissioner to the Low Pay Commission, April 2007 to present.
8. The existing members of the Acas Council are:
•Ed Sweeney, Chair
•Sarah Anderson CBE
•John McMullen, Partner, Watson Burton LLP
•Dave Prentis, General Secretary of Unison
•Sarah Veale, Head of Equality and Employment Rights at the TUC
•Jonathan Michie, Professor of Management at the University of Birmingham
•Debbie Coulter OBE, Deputy General Secretary of the GMB Trade Union
•Derek Simpson, TUC Executive Committee member and the TUC General Council member
•Peter Bennett, Human Resources Director at Network Rail
•Susan Anderson – Director, Human Resources Policy, CBI
•Nicola Templeman, Independent Financial Adviser
•Jennifer Eady, Employment Law Barrister.
9. The outgoing members are Debbie Coulter who is stepping down on completion of her first term of appointment, and Dave Prentis and John McMullen who have both served the maximum terms allowed under OCPA rules.
