Introducing the new Deputy President
Where do I start? Writing an introduction piece is always tricky – most of us don’t really like talking about ourselves do we?
As a starter for ten I looked back at my previous introduction pieces for arcnews, and it’s interesting to see how many things change and what remains the same. Every time I write one of these I highlight the importance of having representation outside London, and this definitely hasn’t changed as so many of us face drastic and, in some cases life-changing, decisions in the run up to the full introduction of Regional Centres. I have also highlighted the diversity of Committee in the past; this has improved but at time of writing I don’t know what the make-up of the new Committee will be, so I hope we continue to make gains in making Committee reflect the membership.
I don’t think any of us are under any illusions about the next two years; we aren’t going to have any easy ride with changes to our working lives, terms and conditions and everything related coming at us almost constantly for the last few years. There is no respite on the horizon. I know that Vicky is absolutely committed to ensuring that HMRC listens to you, our members in all these issues, and I am committed to supporting her in that aim.
So in these difficult times what inspires someone to stand and put their head above the parapet as we have done? For me, it’s a determination to have our voices heard, to ensure fair representation for all and to continue the work that our predecessors have done in re-engaging with both the Department and the membership; it’s putting together a team at the top of the union to achieve the aims you set out for us at every AGM and continuing the great work we have been doing on communications, negotiations and personal representation.
I’ve been on ARC Committee for six years now and the word “unprecedented” seems to be used by each successive group of Officers and Committee to describe the challenges we face, but the pace and scale of the changes we face now really do exceed anything which has gone before. Never one to shy from a challenge, when Vicky asked me to join her as her Deputy I was pleased to accept the role, fully understanding that this isn’t going to be an easy ride!
My day job is as a Professional Development Manager in BT, leading on knowledge management, technical updates and various other areas. I am a Tax Professional, having graduated from the IDP programme in 2009 but I have been working in various training roles for the last 4 years developing my skills in this area and thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to assist with the development of new projects.
Outside work I spend a lot of time looking after my Squadron of Air Cadets, organising and supervising activities as diverse as flying, gliding, shooting, hill walking, lots of sports and fundraising. Ask me sometime about my 75 Challenges for the 75th Anniversary and I’ll bore you to death before sending you a link to my fundraising page! In the brief moments I actually have to myself, I love travelling, reading, a little bit of crochet, scuba diving, watching rugby and maybe a nip or two of good gin. If I’m not answering emails it’s usually because I’m attempting to indulge myself in one or two of these (or in a muddy field somewhere with 50+ teenagers running riot!).
I’m genuinely looking forward to the challenges ahead and I hope I can do justice to the role with which I have been entrusted.