PCS general secretary Fran Heahtcote

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has elected Fran Heathcote as its next general secretary. Heathcote will succeed Mark Serwotka in the role and become the union’s first ever woman to hold the post.

Serwotka has led PCS for 23 years, having been re-elected five times since the year 2000. Heathcote has been president of the union since 2019.

Speaking on Heathcote’s election, Serwotka said: “Many congratulations to Fran. Having worked closely with her over the last four years, I’m confident the union will go from strength to strength under her leadership.”

Heathcote narrowly defeated Marion Lloyd in the election. Lloyd picked up 9,557 votes to Heathcote’s 10,340.

Heathcote said: “It’s a huge honour to have been elected as general secretary of this successful campaigning union.

“Thanks to Mark for all his fantastic work over the last 23 years. I was proud to be president of PCS during our successful campaign in 2023 which beat the government’s pay policy.

“I am now determined to lead the fight as general secretary to keep driving up our members pay and dealing with the cost-of-living crisis.”

Heathcote is the first woman general secretary in the 130-year history of PCS and its predecessor unions.

Alongside Heathcote’s election, John Moloney was elected assistant general secretary.

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Image credit: Mark Pinder