Accord reps standing up for members in London - credit Jess Hurd

Reps' meetings

Around 200 reps participated in our latest round of reps' meetings. Here’s a round-up of the important issues discussed.

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Ged addressing reps in London - credit Jess Hurd
Ged addressing reps in London
Credit: Jess Hurd

Connecting, Sharing, and Shaping the Future

Workplace reps are at the heart of everything Accord does, connecting our executive and officers with members in branches, workplaces and in their homes. Our regular gatherings are an opportunity for reps to meet each other, get updates on our work, and put members’ questions and concerns directly to the union and business leaders.

At our most recent gatherings, held in Glasgow, Leeds, London, and online, around 200 reps joined us.

These meetings were especially significant as they coincided with major changes in Accord’s relationship with Lloyds Banking Group. These changes, announced on 28th October and effective from 1st January 2025, marked a new chapter for our union.

During the meetings, reps were briefed on the changes and reassured about what remains unchanged. Accord’s commitment to secure jobs, fair pay, and fair treatment for all members - regardless of grade - continues to be at the core of everything we do.

Equally, our promise to provide expert advice and support to members facing challenges at work remains steadfast.

However, these changes have underscored the need to grow our union. Reps were encouraged to talk to non-members about the positive impact Accord has and remind them that we’re stronger together.

At each of the meetings, Accord’s General Secretary, Ged Nichols, kicked off proceedings with an update on high level issues affecting the union and the business, including the economic and technological environments, the election of a new government and the introduction of new legislation on workers’ rights, along with the volatile geo-political situation.

With so much change happening, both internationally and within LBG, Ged highlighted the benefit of the two-year pay deal negotiated for 2024/25, which gives members pay rises that sit well against the current rate of inflation.

He also acknowledged that continuous change in the business is taking a toll on colleagues’ morale.

Speakers from Lloyds Banking Group

In London, reps were joined by:

  • Pete Steel - Managing Director, Customer Engagement
  • Miles Ravenhill - Community Bank Director
  • Andrew Cumming - People Partner

In Leeds LBG was represented by:

  • James Harrison - Personal Banking Director
  • Andy Miller - Head of Customer, Halifax Community Bank
  • Helena Darcey - People Partner
  • Jackie Taylor - People Partner
  • Hannah Butler - People Partner

And in Glasgow it was:

  • Nicola Muir - Head of Personal Banking
  • Kerry Stewart - Senior Manager, Personal Banking
  • Stevie Clifford - Network Director, Bank of Scotland
  • Nicola Donaldson - Head of Performance & Operations, BoS
  • Conor McSorley - People Partner
Speakers from LBG address reps - credit Jess Hurd
Pete Steel, Miles Ravenhill & Andrew Cumming
Credit: Jess Hurd

Questions direct to senior figures

At Accord, we believe that reps should get regular opportunities to put their questions direct to senior figures in LBG. This ensures that senior leaders get an unfiltered account of what’s happening in branches, sites and colleagues’ homes.

So, at each of the October meetings, we invited representatives of the business to join us for a Q&A with reps. The discussions were respectful but forthright, with many reps sharing first-hand stories of what’s happening in their locations.

Questions covered a wide range of issues, including:

  • staffing levels and workload;
  • performance management, specifically around the number of colleagues being put on ‘Back to Your Best’;
  • the on-the-ground functioning of new processes, particularly as they affect elderly, bereaved and vulnerable customers;
  • violence and abuse in branches; and
  • lack of timely communication about branch closures.

In Glasgow, Stevie Clifford, Network Director for Bank of Scotland, expressed his appreciation for reps’ contributions, saying:

I love sitting with different parts of the business. It was good to hear from colleagues on the ground and understand what we’ve still got to overcome in terms of some of the changes that we’re going through. The questions were great, you could tell everybody was passionate and I’ve got a list of things to go back and look into, which I absolutely will.

Nicola Muir, Head of Personal Banking at LBG, echoed Stevie, saying:

Working in partnership is so important and today was a perfect example, really getting feedback so that we can all learn together.

Accord will be working especially closely with reps in the months ahead to ensure the union’s continued strength in LBG. And the issues raised by reps at these meetings will continue to inform our discussions with LBG.

Thanks to all the reps who attended meetings and made sure their colleagues’ voices were heard.

The next round of meetings will be taking in place in May 2025. Make sure your workplace is represented.

Watch the online meeting

What reps say

It’s great to get everyone together. We’re understanding what’s happening in different parts of the business and getting to see what the strategy is going to be over the next twelve months

Jim Gillen, Fraud and Disputes, Belfast

The meeting’s been informative and it’s good to know we’re all in the same boat. I’ll be letting my branch colleagues know that Accord is fighting for us, and we’ve just got to hold on.

Laura Holden, Bank of Scotland, Largs

I found it very, very interesting. Hearing stories from other colleagues about what they go through on a daily basis was definitely an eye-opener. In my own department we come across issues, but hearing about branch level and private banking is very interesting – all the different things that matter to different people. I’ll be telling my colleagues to stay positive, because the union is there for you. That’ll be the main thing.

Peter Baxter, Mortgage Intermediaries, Belfast
London reps - credit Jess Hurd
Delegates asking questions - credit Jess Hurd
Ged making reps laugh - credit Jess Hurd
Delegates making notes - credit Jess Hurd
Ged speaking to reps - credit Jess Hurd
Delegates asking questions - credit Jess Hurd

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