John is a qualified TUC lecturer in Trade Union Studies and Employment Law and has worked at a number of colleges around the region over the past six years. He is Vice-Chair of the BME VCS Regional Panel. Currently employed by the Yorkshire and Humber regional TUC as the Policy Officer, John works on a number of initiatives, relating to the BME community and has national responsibility for BME issues within the wider TUC. The main remit of the role as Policy Officer is to enable the regional TUC to effectively contribute to the regional agenda and influence regional policy and institutions.

Having been a member of a trade union all his working life John became involved in union activity and held a number of union branch and national positions including Black members committee chair and chair of the National Pay Negotiations Committee.

John was involved in a very successful project in Bradford west Yorkshire, which delivered training in race awareness to local organisations to increase levels of understanding and acceptance of other sections of the community.

His list of qualifications includes DipH.E, BA Hons Public Service Management and PGCE Post Compulsory Education and Training.

He is passionate about combating injustice and discrimination and wants to see a society where all individuals are given equality of access and opportunity.

E-mail: JLewis@TUC.ORG.UK