GMB North West & Irish Region

Manchester lad born bred and proud of it. Neil started work as an apprentice electrical engineer on leaving school but left the job following the death of his dad. In some ways this opened up a new set of opportunities, as he took up work with Manchester City Council, working on the highways.

Over the years Neil got involved in his union  and became a shop steward taking on different roles and challenges before progressing to a full time convenor.

Being a strong believer in collectivism and the community, he developed a healthy involvement in his local Labour Party adding political activities to his industrial role.

Through his high level of activism he made his mark and made inroads in the GMB union.

In 2011 he was successfully appointed as Political Officer for the GMB trade union region covering North West England and Ireland.

Neil is a hands on officer preferring working on campaigns with union reps, community activists and pulling politicians in as support. He has developed his own form of lobbying, setting up or backing campaigns and successfully drawing on his contacts at council and national level.

This has been of some influence for the GMB union. Industrial strife such as threats to jobs at Bombardier in Northern Ireland  and Cammell Laird in Merseyside were revisited  due to Neil’s political know how and who he knows. With his background working with local authorities he is also a great asset when problems arise in that sector.

In recent years he has been heavily involved in the GMB Trade Union Justice Campaign, helping bring a host of impressive speakers to our annual conference. He has kicked off a new student work placement between Liverpool University and the region, bringing in students of politics to work with our staff and further their knowledge of how the GMB union operates. And he also works closely with our Education department in helping delivering courses on politics.

Neil is well known for his involvement in supporting food banks movements linked to the football fans in the region as one of a range of issues that are close to his heart.

This site will now host a weekly blog as part of our political education and campaigning.

GMB North West & Irish Region