Union officials

As well as branch committees, the union has eight central officials who are all on the Executive Committee. These officials are elected at the Annual General Meeting or by an all-member postal ballot if the election is contested.

General Secretary - Henry Chango Lopez

The General Secretary leads the IWGB. Their role provides direction across the union and they act as a spokesperson. They have a series of responsibilities for the day-to-day running and organisation of the union:

• Ensuring that the IWGB implements decisions and strategies set by the Annual General Meeting, Executive Committee, and subcommittees of the union.
• Making decisions about Central Union staff.
• Responsible for the day to day operations of Legal, Organising, Communications and Human Resources Department
• Working with the Treasurer on the union budget.
• Signing contracts and legal agreements on behalf of the union.
• Deciding which legal cases are brought or defended by the union.
• Developing relationships with existing and potential allies, including organisations, politicians, and barristers, helping to grow the reach of the union.

The General Secretary is a member of the Executive Committee and the Human Resources and Legal Department subcommittees. This is a full time paid role.

President - Alex Marshall

The President is part of the leadership of the IWGB and a spokesperson for the union. They work closely with the General Secretary, assisting them to lead the union and organise it day-to-day. They support organising initiatives and campaigns across the Branches of the union. The role involves developing relationships with existing and potential allies, including organisations, politicians, and barristers, helping to grow the reach of the union. They stand in for the General Secretary in their absence. The President is a member of the Executive Committee. This is a full time paid role.

Vice-President - Maritza Castillo Calle

The Vice-President is part of the leadership of the IWGB. They work with both the General Secretary and President, assisting them to lead the union and organise it day-to-day. They work with the President to support organising initiatives and campaigns across Branches of theunion. They stand in for the President in their absence. The Vice-President is a member of the Executive Committee.

Treasurer - Max Dewhurst

The Treasurer is responsible for the finances of the union. They submit the union’s annual return and any other financial regulatory requirements with the union’s new staff Finance Officer. They work with the General Secretary on the union budget and report the union's finances to the Executive Committee and the AGM.  They produce a balance sheet and give a financial statement at each AGM. The Treasurer is a member of the Executive Committee.

Women and Non-Binary Officer - Laura Twigg

The Women and Non-Binary Officer is elected by women and non-binary members of the IWGB. Their role is to represent, promote, and campaign for the interests of women and non-binary members of the union. They work with and support the Women and Non-Binary Officers and members to:

• Encourage their engagement with the political direction of the union
• Support women and non-binary members to stand for roles within Branches and the union
• Ensure that women and non-binary voices are being heard and consulted before decisions are voted on
• Hold all branch officials, reps and members to an anti-sexist standard
• Provide support to women and non-binary members with issues or complaints in either their work or within the union - in the latter case, helping the member to access the union complaints procedure or any other relevant support.

The Women and Non-Binary Officer is a member of the Executive Committee and the Equalities subcommittee.

BAME Officers - Martin Wogido Johnson and Narcisa Pérez Salgado

There are two BAME officers in the IWGB that represent, promote and campaign for the interests of Black, Asian, Latinx and Minority Ethnic members of the union. The Co-BAME Officers work with and support Branch BAME Officers and members to:

• Encourage their engagement with the political direction of the union
• Ensure that BAME voices are being heard and consulted before decisions are voted on
• Hold all branch officials, reps and members to an anti-racist standard
• Help to facilitate translation for non-english speaking members where necessary
• Provide support to BAME members who may be victims of racism from either their work or from within the union - in the latter case, helping the member to access the union complaints procedure.

One Co-BAME Officer is elected by BAME members only. One Co-BAME Officer is reserved for BAME women and non-binary members and is elected by BAME women and non-binary members only. The Co-BAME Officers are members of the Executive Committee and the Equalities subcommittee. At least one of the Co-BAME Officers must be on both the Human Resources and the Legal Department subcommittees.

Branch Support Officer - Jamie Woodcock

The Branch Support Officer works with elected Central Union and Branch Officials to support them in their roles. They oversee the General Members branch, acting as a point of contact for members and supporting new organising. They help with the formation of new branches of the union, assist with training, and encourage branch-level activists to run for elected positions. The Branch Support Officer is a member of the Executive Committee and the Democracy subcommittee.

Please note that this page is not a constitutional document. It is an informal overview of central positions in the union. The complete rule book is available here.