UNISON is pleased to announce that Kerry Baigent has been appointed as the new regional secretary for the East of England.
Kerry takes over from Tim Roberts, who moves to lead the union’s South West region.
About Kerry
Kerry joined UNISON in 2014, working in Devon, but her roots are firmly in the East of England. Before joining UNISON, she was active in the Fire Brigades Union and made history as the first female firefighter at Cambridge station.
She led the FBU branch in Cambridgeshire through national strikes in 2002/03 and 2014, demonstrating her commitment to workers’ rights and strong leadership in challenging times.
Achievements in the South West
During her time as regional secretary in the South West, Kerry oversaw:
- A sharp rise in membership
- A major victory against NHS outsourcing in Dorset
- Fair pay wins for teaching assistants and healthcare assistants
Kerry’s Vision for the East
On her appointment, Kerry said:
“It’s a real honour to lead the biggest trade union in the East of England. Public services are the motor of our economy, but all too often the staff running them get a raw deal after years of under-funding and under-investment.
It’s essential workers stand together to ensure they’re properly supported to keep delivering the vital services they provide.”
Welcome back to the East, Kerry!
