Ministers have confirmed the appointment of nine inaugural members to the Advisory Board of the new Fair Work Agency, as the government moves to streamline employment rights enforcement across the UK.
The board, announced on 24 March, brings together representatives from independent, employer and trade union backgrounds in equal measure, with the aim of grounding the agency’s work in real-world business and workforce experience.
The Fair Work Agency is set to launch on 7 April, consolidating multiple enforcement bodies into a single organisation.
The new body will combine the functions of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, HMRC’s National Minimum Wage Unit, and the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, replacing what ministers have described as a fragmented system.
The agency will have robust powers to inspect workplaces, impose civil penalties for underpayments, and bring legal proceedings on behalf of workers. It will also provide compliance support for employers, aiming to create “a level playing field” for those already adhering to the law.
Employment rights minister Kate Dearden said the board reflects the breadth of expertise needed to support both workers and businesses.
“Every member of the board brings a wealth of experience from across the world of work,” she said. “I’m looking forward to working with them on how we can support businesses, strengthen enforcement and ensure that the rights of working people are upheld consistently and fairly across the country.”
The Advisory Board will work alongside chair Matthew Taylor and chief executive Lisa Pinney to help shape the agency’s strategic direction.
Independent members include Patricia Findlay, Gavin Kelly and Dora-Olivia Vicol, bringing expertise in labour markets, social policy and worker protection.
Findlay is Distinguished Professor of Work and Employment Relations and director of the Scottish Centre for Employment Research at the University of Strathclyde. Kelly is chief executive of the Nuffield Foundation and a former head of the Resolution Foundation. With a background in senior government roles, he also chaired the Living Wage Commission for a decade. Vicol is chief executive of the Work Rights Centre, which she founded to support migrant and vulnerable workers.
Employer voices are represented by Neil Carberry, Mustafa Faruqi and Joanne Young, all of whom have experience in workforce strategy and employment regulation across large organisations.
Carberry is chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation and a prominent voice on employment issues. He has led major organisational transformation and previously held senior leadership roles at the CBI, with extensive experience in labour market reform and employer representation. Developed through previous work with the Low Pay Commission and Acas, Neil has a particular interest in fair competition and effective enforcement.
Faruqi is employee relations director at BT Group, leading employee relations strategy for around 60,000 staff. He has held major roles at British Airways, Tesco, Network Rail, and Heathrow; with longstanding experience in pay negotiations, industrial relations and workforce strategy across large, complex organisations. He is also an employer member of the Central Arbitration Committee.
Young is an experienced recruitment and workforce policy specialist with a strong track record of improving employment standards and advancing responsible recruitment. She has led major UK and international initiatives, bringing expertise in employment regulation, labour market enforcement and workforce strategy, alongside practical insight into the challenges facing employers.
Trade union representation comes from Mike Clancy, general secretary and chief executive of Prospect, Diana Holland, a former assistant general secretary of Unite, and Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, each bringing decades of experience in industrial relations and worker advocacy.