Lucille Thirlby
Wells next the Sea,Norfolk
Summary
30 years collective bargaining experience and knowledge ranging from employer level structures through to UK wide collective bargaining structures as well as individual employee representation
20 years senior management experience with demonstrable leadership and strategic development within trade unions in the UK.
A proven ability to communicate, connect and build strong, trusting and effective, networks and relationships at all levels in organisations/teams, across cultures and challenging environments
Developed and led high-impact union wide and sectoral level campaigns and specific projects with a focus on member involvement and equality
Built, led and motivated cohesive teams of staff, achieving outstanding results and a mediator who has successfully lead teams through organisational change
A senior leader with an established reputation for hard work and taking responsibility, who thrives on designing and delivering positive changes in a challenging political environment with changing priorities and drivers
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant General Secretary
FDA
04.2018 - 10.2025
- Strategic lead and responsible for bargaining, organising, communications and career development work of the union. Directly managed eight of the staff working in these areas.
- Lead on UK civil service wide engagement and strategic negotiations on pay and terms and conditions, as well as developing areas of national policy.
- Strategic lead on civil service pensions and member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme Advisory Board.
- Lead for senior civil servants and submission of evidence to the senior salaries review board.
- member of FDA senior management team
- Ensured compliance with the Union Rules and union’s Executive Committee Governance and substituted for the General Secretary as required.
Head of the Membership Participation Unit
UNISON
12.2012 - 04.2018
- Developed and built the strategic direction for equality within UNISON.
- Represented the union with external stakeholders and government ministers, raising the profile of the union and members’ employment interests.
- Lead specific projects designated to me by the Assistant General Secretary, Bargaining, Negotiations and Equality. Membership of the directorate management team.
- Managed a team of 12 staff, day to day management, including individual work programmes, conferences and membership participation.
Deputy Head of Local Government Police and Justice Service Group
UNISON
07.2004 - 12.2012
- Assistant Trade Union Side Secretary for National Joint Council (NJC) for local government.
- Trade Union Side Secretary for Chief Officers and Senior Managers
- Assisted and deputised for the Service Group National Secretary, jointly managed a team of 18.
- Led the recruitment and organising committee for the service group including policy development and strategic implementation by regions and branches.
Greater London Regional Head of Local Government (temporary post)
UNISON
London
01.2004 - 07.2004
- Regional manager, led team of 10 regional organisers and administrative assistants.
- Led the regional lay service group made up of senior activists
- Trade Union Side Secretary for the Greater London Provincial Council.
Regional Organiser
UNISON Greater London
London
11.1996 - 01.2004
- Strategic lead for a group of branches and employers within London.
- Provided advice, guidance and representation to members/branch secretaries
- Led collective bargaining and negotiations with employers
- undertook complex member casework up to and including Employment Tribunal level
- Ensured NEC policy and rule book compliance by branches.
Branch Development Worker – Housing Associations Branch
NALGO/UNISON
London
11.1991 - 01.1996
- Developed and implemented the branch organising and recruitment strategy across housing association employers within London.
- Undertook casework and representation
- Assisted lay reps in collective bargaining with housing associations
Housing Management Officer
Ealing and South London Family Housing Association
London
01.1986 - 01.1991
Responsible for a housing management patch including neighbour disputes, rent collection, letting and tenancy agreements, co-ordination of repairs and maintenance of properties
Education
HND - Land Use and Housing Studies
Trent Polytechnic
Nottingham 09.1981 - 06.1986
Skills
- Collective bargaining expertise
- Employee engagement and representation
- Effective communication and relationship building
- Adaptability in challenging environments
- Senior management experience
- Strategic planning and change implementation
- Decision-Making expertise
- Ethical conduct
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
Affiliations
- Polari: Founder member and Chair 1993 - 2009. Polari was a charitable strategic campaigning organisation for older lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, focusing on their housing, health and social care needs. I oversaw the strategic direction of the charity and managed the Director.
- LGIU Board: Vice Chair 2005 – 2012. LGIU is a think tank and cross party local authority membership organisation. I represented UNISON on the board and elected as vice chair.
- Out to Swim: ASA Masters swimming club, Vice Chair, March 2010 – 2012, Chair 2012-2014, Trustee from 2016 to 2019.
- Volunteer Coastguard rescue Officer - HM Coastguard
Timeline
Assistant General Secretary
FDA
04.2018 - 10.2025
Head of the Membership Participation Unit
UNISON
12.2012 - 04.2018
Deputy Head of Local Government Police and Justice Service Group
UNISON
07.2004 - 12.2012
Greater London Regional Head of Local Government (temporary post)
UNISON
01.2004 - 07.2004
Regional Organiser
UNISON Greater London
11.1996 - 01.2004
Branch Development Worker – Housing Associations Branch
NALGO/UNISON
11.1991 - 01.1996
Housing Management Officer
Ealing and South London Family Housing Association
01.1986 - 01.1991
HND - Land Use and Housing Studies
Trent Polytechnic
09.1981 - 06.1986