Gill Wood has been promoted to the position of National Secretary and leads a 10-strong team of negotiators, organisers and support staff. She takes up office this month, replacing Mike Graham, who now heads the union's National Organising, Recruitment and Development team.

In her new role, Wood's chief areas of activity will include the union's campaigning around securing a balanced energy mix for the UK and the fight against the deregulation of workplace safety legislation on behalf of members in the Health and Safety Executive.

She joined Prospect in 2007 as a Negotiations Officer with responsibility for members in the civil nuclear sector, including Babcock Nuclear, the National Nuclear Laboratory and Westinghouse UK Ltd, among others.

Prior to that she negotiated for members in the Equity union representing performers in the arts and entertainment sphere. As a specialist organiser she worked with BBC management on issues relating to the rights and royalties for performers.

Wood said: "It is a great privilege to be able to provide support and assistance to our members where needed. I will be looking to ensure Prospect continues to develop its distinctive membership approach and maintains its position as an independent advocate for the employment and career interests of professionals across government and the wider UK economy.

"I believe it is vital that Prospect continues to strike a balance between providing protection as well as a vision for growth within the many industries in which our members work."

Pictures of Wood are available on request from the Prospect communications department via [email protected]