Prospect’s Sue Ferns awarded OBE in King’s Birthday Honours
Sue Ferns, Prospect Senior Deputy General Secretary, has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, for services to green jobs and workplace transition.
Prospect Senior Deputy Deneral Secretary, Sue Ferns
“I am privileged to have spent my career in the trade union movement, determined to make a positive difference to the lives of working people,” said Sue of her award.
“I’d like to thank the countless colleagues, trade union representatives and members within our movement, whose commitment to improving the lives of others has been an inspiration throughout my career.”
Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, said:
“Everyone at Prospect is incredibly proud of Sue for this well-deserved honour.
“Sue has not just made a huge impact at Prospect, but she has been a towering figure in the wider trade union movement, leading on issues such as the environment and gender equality.
“It is fantastic to have this contribution recognised in this way, and I’m delighted to have her as a colleague and friend.”
Biography
Sue grew up in Sheffield and was the first member of her family to go to university, studying industrial relations at Salford University. After graduating in 1982, she started working for the TUC’s economics department.
She joined Prospect in 1993, becoming Head of Research in 2002, Director of Communications and Research in 2013, and Senior Deputy General Secretary in 2018. She has been a member of the Trade Union Congress General Council since 2005. For the year 2021-22, she held the role of TUC President.
Through these roles, Sue has campaigned on issues including the gender pensions gap, worker’s rights in the science, engineering and energy sectors, and clean energy. Sue has also made significant contributions to government decision-making by taking part in several government taskforces and working groups, particularly on clean energy jobs and workforce skills.
In 2020 she was invited to sit on the government’s Green Jobs Taskforce, which produced its final report in July 2021, and earlier this year Sue was appointed to the government’s Net Zero Council.