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General Secretary – Joanne Thomas
Joanne Thomas is Usdaw’s first-ever female General Secretary after she was elected with substantial backing from the Union’s branches throughout the UK.
A lifelong trade unionist, Joanne Thomas started as an Usdaw workplace representative when working at the wholesaler Makro.
She was promoted to be the youngest-ever Area Organiser aged 21, in Newcastle, where she was responsible for more than 4,500 Usdaw members and over 100 workplace representatives.
In 2009, Joanne was promoted to the position of Regional Secretary for the North East leading the region, its Area Organisers and representatives.
She is a passionate supporter of the Union’s campaigning including Usdaw’s work to protect shopworkers from harassment and violence, working alongside employers and the British Retail Consortium.
Joanne has served on the Labour Party National Executive and has chaired its prestigious Organising Committee along with holding the presidency of the Yorkshire and Humber TUC.
She has also served on the Labour Party Regional Board for the Humber and North East and has previously been a guest university lecturer delivering sessions on industrial relations and trade unions.
Joanne has also previously been chair of the Tesco National Forum and is an inspirational mentor for young workers in Usdaw through the Union’s regional youth committees.
Joanne is committed to ensuring Usdaw remains a forward-thinking Union fit for the 21st century.
Joanne Thomas biography correct at July 2025.
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Deputy General Secretary - Rab Donnelly
Rab Donnelly has been Usdaw’s Deputy General Secretary since July 2025 and is responsible for leading on a number of key priorities for the Union with a strong focus on workplace organisation, recruitment and development of reps and activists.
Rab began his Usdaw career in 2011 as an Area Organiser in the Southern Region, he transferred to the Scottish Region in 2014 where he continued to play a crucial role in the growth of the Union. In May 2021, Rab was promoted to Regional Secretary for the Southern Region where he led on a number of key priorities for the Union.
Rab has been a proud and active member of Usdaw for over 34 years, spending 18 years working and gaining valuable experience in the retail and distribution sector, holding a number of rep and branch positions.
Rab sits on a number of committees, including the steering group for the Union’s Breaking Down Barriers programme and the TUC’s General Purposes Committee.
Rab Donnelly biography correct at July 2025.
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Usdaw President - Jane Jones
In February 2021 Jane Jones was elected by members as Usdaw President, taking office in May 2021.
Jane became an Usdaw rep in 2014 and then Branch Chair 2 years later. She has also held the position of Union Learning Rep within her store. In 2017, Jane was elected to represent the North West Region on the Executive Council, where she served for four years before being elected President.
Jane is a retail key worker, who has worked for Tesco for more than 20 years and has been an Usdaw member since 2004. In her time as a rep, she has been a committed supporter of many of the Union’s key campaigns such as Freedom From Fear and Supporting Parents and Carers.
Jane represents Usdaw on the TUC Women’s Committee and has spoken on behalf of the Union at numerous TUC and Labour Unions events, putting forward the views and experiences of Usdaw members on the frontline. Jane also represents Usdaw on Labour’s National Executive Committee
As President, Jane chairs the Union’s National Executive Council Meetings, the Annual Delegate Meeting and other important Usdaw events.
Jane Jones biography correct at April 2025.