PCS members elect Fran Heathcote as first woman general secretary

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has elected Fran Heathcote as its first woman general secretary.

Fran, who has been the union’s president since 2019, will succeed Mark Serwotka as the leader of the UK’s largest union for civil servants.
 

Mark retires next month having been re-elected five times since 2000.

He 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.”

Fran 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.”

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

John Moloney was re-elected assistant general secretary.

The full election results can be found on the PCS website here.

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