This year, the union will elect its General Secretary to serve from 2025-2030.
Nominations have now closed, with two candidates nominated. Voting will be by post only (as required by law). Ballots were posted out on 20 March. If you haven’t received a ballot paper you can request a new ballot paper by contacting equity@uk-engage.org
The candidates
Riky Ash
| Nominated by | ||||
| Sally Treble | John Davis | Eva Lorraine | Chris Barltrop | Steen Young |
| David Cockayne | June Ascot | Nicky Diprose | John B Tannen | Osho Dhudwar |
| Terry Victor | Brian Sefton | Stuart ST Paul | Roger Martin | Barry Morrow |
| Bob Oakley | Aaron Wolstenholme | Honra Simms | Rupert Procter | Matthew Da Silva |
| Christopher Batten | Nikki Leonard | Gillian Aldam | Nrinder Dhudwar | Tom Lucy |
| Andrew Bradford | Jack Graeme | Yvonne Joseph | Julia Pascal | Matthew Stirling |
| Denis Askham | Peter Kosta | Samir Durrani | Carter Ferguson | Freddie Belmont |
| Stevie Jones | Jonathan Paul Cohen | Steve Caswell | David Garrick | Billy Davey |
| Julia Clarke | Nick Golden | Glenn Marks | Susannah Levene | Crystal |
| Peter Chivers | Andy Storm | Pete Smith | Adam Richards | Olwen Medi |
Paul W. Fleming
| Nominated by Equity Council and by | ||||
| Lynda Rooke | Olivia Colman | Rakie Ayola | Hayley Atwell | Naomie Harris |
| Jackie Clune | Julie Hesmondhalgh | Sam Swann | Ian Barritt | Paul Herbert |
| Nick Fletcher | Maxine Peake | Simon Pegg | Graham Hamilton | Ronald Nairne |
| David John | Tracy Brabin | Leila Mimmack | Laurence Bouvard | Red Sarah |
| Alan Davies | Melanie La Barrie | Marcus Hutton | Chipo Chung | Rebecca Louis |
| Judi Dench | Carl Man | Alan Turkington | Joshua Bendall | Yukiko Masui |
| Adrian Lester | Natasha Leaver | Mais Robinson | Sophia Horrocks | Gareth Mole |
| Imelda Staunton | Vivien Parry | Benjamin Finch | Ben Delfont | Zoe Spurr |
| Ruby Turner | Ben Irish | Natalie Amber | Tony Gardner | Charlotte Emma |
| Johnny Worthy | Tanya Moodie | Daniel York Loh | Juliet Stevenson | Samuel West |
Candidates' statements
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Timetable |
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Monday 13 January 2025 |
Nominations open. |
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Friday 28 February 2025 |
Nominations close at 12 noon. |
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Tuesday 11 March 2025 |
Equity Council receives a report on nominations received. |
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Planned ballot opening date delayed due to scrutineer’s mailing house capacity issues. |
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Monday 24 March 2025 |
Ballot opens. Voting papers, election statements and reply-paid envelopes are posted to members. |
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Friday 2 May 2025 |
Ballot closes at 12 noon. Completed voting papers must be returned by this date and time. |
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Saturday 10 May 2025 |
Result is declared to the Equity Council meeting at Equity Conference and published on the Equity website. |
If you do not receive a ballot paper by 1 April – or if you have not updated your current address – you can request a new ballot paper by contacting equity@uk-engage.org.
About the role of General Secretary
The General Secretary is the union's Chief Executive Officer and is responsible to the Council. Under the authority of Council the General Secretary is responsible for the efficient administration and financial management of the union, including its staff. They should be a highly experienced and committed trade unionist who has a dedication to the future of the performing arts and entertainment industries, equalities, workplace justice, and a proven track-record of leading, managing and inspiring others.
They should have a thorough understanding of the key issues affecting Equity's members, and will be able to apply expert knowledge and understanding of strategic industrial, legal, financial and people management matters.
The General Secretary will work with the Council to advance the interests of the Union and its members, including leading high-level negotiations with multi-engager employers, governments, administrations, and other bodies, and delivering member led campaigns.
Full details available on request from elections@equity.org.uk.