LTB 088/26 – APPOINTMENT OF DAVE WARD TO FAIR WORK AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-088-26-appo ... ory-board/

LTB 088/26 – APPOINTMENT OF DAVE WARD TO FAIR WORK AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD
No. 088/26

25th March 2026

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

APPOINTMENT OF DAVE WARD TO FAIR WORK AGENCY ADVISORY BOARD

The purpose of this LTB is to let branches know that I have been appointed as a trade union representative member of the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board.

The Fair Work Agency (FWA), launching in April 2026, is the government’s new employment rights enforcement agency. The FWA brings together existing labour enforcement agencies and new enforcement powers to ensure employers are compliant with employment law and that the newly introduced Employment Rights Act is complied with. It will have the power to investigate and take action against businesses who do not comply with the law, providing more security for workers across the country. The creation of the Fair Work Agency was a key pillar of the New Deal for Workers and will provide another method of enforcing workers rights, without always relying on the tribunal system. You can find out more about the Fair Work Agency here.

The Advisory Board of the FWA will shape the strategy of the agency and focus the management of its resources in a complex and quickly-evolving world of work. The Board is comprised of employer representatives, independent representatives and trade union representatives. I will be joined by Diana Holland, formerly of Unite and Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect. This role does not distract from my responsibilities as General Secretary in any way.

This is a significant opportunity for trade unions to develop a truly effective strategy for the FWA, for both the present and the future, and ensure the vital policies contained within the Employment Rights Act are enforced properly and are not avoided by employers. Formal trade union representation in our key labour enforcement body is another step towards rectifying the imbalance in the world of work and bringing power back into workplaces across the country.

Please contact the General Secretary’s Department for more information or any questions at dlynch@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward

General Secretary

[POSTMAN]

Keep it clean.

[Basildon Bond]

https://apply-for-public-appointment.se ... roles/8828

So an extra £8,000 for a maximum of 18 days work. Nice little earner. I do hope Mr Ward isn't taking on too much and spreading himself too thin though.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fair ... ril-launch

Biographies:

Patricia Findlay

Patricia Findlay is Distinguished Professor of Work and Employment Relations and Director of the Scottish Centre for Employment Research at the University of Strathclyde. A leading expert in job quality, fair work and workplace innovation, she brings extensive strategic and advisory experience and a strong track record shaping policy and workplace practice.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Patricia declared no activity.

Gavin Kelly

Gavin Kelly is Chief Executive of the Nuffield Foundation and a former head of the Resolution Foundation. With a background in senior government roles, he also chaired the Living Wage Commission for a decade and brings deep expertise in labour markets, governance, and social policy. 

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Gavin declared: no activity.

Dora-Olivia Vicol

Dora-Olivia Vicol is Chief Executive of the Work Rights Centre, which she founded to support migrant and vulnerable workers. She brings frontline experience in legal advice, research and advocacy, alongside a strong academic background focused on labour markets and worker protection.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Dora-Olivia declared no activity.

Neil Carberry OBE

Neil Carberry OBE is the Chief Executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and a prominent voice on employment issues. He has led major organisational transformation and previously held senior leadership roles at the CBI, with extensive experience in labour market reform and employer representation. Developed through previous work with the Low Pay Commission and Acas, Neil has a particular interest in fair competition and effective enforcement.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Neil declared no activity

Mustafa Faruqi

Mustafa Faruqi is Employee Relations Director at BT Group, leading employee relations strategy for around 60,000 staff. He has held major roles at British Airways, Tesco, Network Rail, and Heathrow; with longstanding experience in pay negotiations, industrial relations and workforce strategy across large, complex organisations. He is also an employer member of the Central Arbitration Committee.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Mustafa declared no activity.

Joanne Young

Joanne Young is an experienced recruitment and workforce policy specialist with a strong track record of improving employment standards and advancing responsible recruitment. She has led major UK and international initiatives, bringing expertise in employment regulation, labour market enforcement and workforce strategy, alongside practical insight into the challenges facing employers.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Joanne declared no activity.

Mike Clancy

Mike Clancy is General Secretary and Chief Executive of Prospect, representing over 160,000 specialist workers. He brings significant leadership experience across industrial relations, digital transformation and public appointments, and has served on key bodies including Acas, Employment Tribunals and the TUC Executive. Mike is a Non-Executive Board member of the DBT Board.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Mike declared he is a member of the Labour Party. He has not been employed by them and has not undertaken any activity for it in the last five years.

Diana Holland OBE

Diana Holland is a senior trade union leader with more than 35 years’ experience advocating for equality and workers’ rights. A former Assistant General Secretary of Unite, she has held leading roles in national bargaining, international policy development and the advancement of fair and safe working conditions.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Diana declared until 2022, she was the elected Treasurer of the Labour Party. Until 2023, she was a member of the Labour National Policy Forum on behalf of Unite. She is still a member of the Labour Party locally.

Dave Ward

Dave Ward is General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union, one of the UK’s largest unions. With decades of leadership in collective bargaining, industrial strategy and worker representation, he has played a major national role through the TUC Executive and numerous sector wide negotiations.

Under appointments rules, candidates are required to declare significant recent political activity. Dave declared he is a member of the Labour Party and has done some campaigning and policy development.
Notes to editors:

These appointments follow a fair and open public appointments competition.

[Jefferson Starfish]

A different brand of biscuits?

[toonshola]

He is like the Putin of the trade union movement. Fingers in every pie, leverage and control of all departments, running in election’s and winning unopposed as it’s impossible to gather enough support to go against him.
What’s next? Polonium in the tea of any rep or officer who dares criticise?
He’s so immovable that I’m starting to believe he may be in charge long enough to finally realise his dream of “expanding the role of the postal worker”

[tramssirhc]

That board will be as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Not content with being a commander, Dave has been given another reward for selling out the working class.