DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2007/045)
issued by The Government News Network on 10 September 2007
Minister of State
for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, Pat McFadden, today
announced the appointment of Mr Edward Sweeney as the new Chair of
the Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Abritration Service) Council.
Ed Sweeney will start on 1 October 2007 and the appointment is
for three years. He will succeed Rita Donaghy.
Pat McFadden said:
"I am delighted to welcome Ed Sweeney as Chair of the Acas
Council. His considerable high level experience in both private
and public sectors makes him well qualified to provide a strong
contribution to the leadership and work of Acas.
"Good employment relations are the key to competitiveness
and business success and ACAS has a reputation for delivering high
quality employment services to businesses and individuals.
"Looking to the challenges ahead, Acas will have a central
role in helping to shape and deliver the future dispute resolution
system that will emerge from the Gibbons Review, and preparing the
British economy to meet the employment relations challenges of the
21st Century.
"I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Chair, Rita
Donaghy for her outstanding contribution in transforming and
modernising Acas. "
John Taylor, Acas Chief Executive, said:
"I am absolutely delighted Ed will be joining us. He has an
extensive union ackground and business sense gained in industries
where advances in both technology and development have been at the
forefront of economic growth. He will be an asset to Acas during a
period of workplace change, not seen in this country since
arguably the Industrial Revolution."
Notes to Editors
1. Acas aims to improve organisations and working life through
better employment relations. It provides 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 http://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. The new appointment was made following an open selection
process conducted in accordance with the guidance issued by the
Office of Commissioner for Public Appointments, and in conformity
with section 248 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations
(Consolidation) Act 1992. This places a requirement on the
Secretary of State to consult organisations representing employers
and organisations representing workers on certain appointments.
3. Ed Sweeney's appointment will commence from 1 October
2007. The appointment is for three years with possibility of one
reappointment. He will receive an annual payment of approximately
£63,470 subject to annual review.
4. Ed Sweeney graduated from Warwick University with a BA Hon in
Politics and Law in 1976. In 1977, he graduated from LSE with an
MSc (Econ) in Industrial Relations and Labour Law.
He has served as a Member of Accounting for People Task Force
2005, Employment Tribunal Services and as a DWP's Independent
Reviewer to Government De-Regulation Review on Occupational Pensions.
His career in brief:
1990 to 1996: Deputy General Secretary,
BIFU
1996 to 2000: General Secretary, BIFU
2000 to 2004:
General Secretary, UNIFI
2004 to June 2007: Deputy General
Secretary, AMICUS
5. Political Activities: Currently none, however, Ed Sweeney was
from 2004 to June 2007 a Deputy General Secretary of AMICUS.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
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NEWS RELEASE