Following confirmation from the Returning Officer, we are delighted to announce that Alasdair McDiarmid has been elected as Community’s new General Secretary.
Alasdair received nominations from 235 branches collectively, representing a significant majority of Community’s membership.
Community General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said:
“It is an honour to be elected as Community’s new General Secretary, and I am truly humbled by the support I’ve received from branches across every sector and region of the union.
“It has been a privilege to work closely with Roy Rickhuss in taking our union forward during his tenure as Community’s General Secretary: doubling our membership, expanding into new sectors, and securing the union’s healthy financial footing. I want to pay tribute to Roy for everything he has done for Community as a hugely successful General Secretary.
“I am determined to extend our union’s impact and influence even further, and that work begins today.
“While it is an enormous honour to lead our union, I am well aware that Community’s successes over the years ahead will be the result of a team effort. Community’s members are our greatest asset, and the source of our collective strength. As General Secretary, I will listen and work every day to ensure that our members’ priorities are reflected in our national organisational strategies, campaigns and political work. And I will always work to ensure that our branch officials have the resources and support they need to help make a better working world for our members.
“I love this union, and it is the honour of my life to be granted the opportunity to serve as Community’s General Secretary.
“Our union has a proud history stretching back well over a century. I look forward to working with members right across the union to ensure that our strong union has a bright future too.”
Outgoing Community General Secretary Roy Rickhuss CBE said:
“I have worked with Alasdair for many years, and have every confidence that our branches have chosen the right person to take this union forward.
“Being your General Secretary over the last thirteen years has been an incredible honour, and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together since I was elected in 2013.
“Our great union is in safe hands with Alasdair, and I know Community will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership.”
© Community Trade Union 2026
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