As we continue to navigate an ever-changing environment, many colleagues are experiencing a busy period of transformation as we head into Q4, bringing both challenges and opportunities.

Change is a constant in our working lives, and during these times, the strength of our collective voice becomes more important than ever.

As your President, I remain committed to listening to and championing the concerns raised by our representatives, ensuring that the issues affecting members are clearly articulated in our engagement with the Bank.

Whether those concerns relate to organisational change, pay, wellbeing, working conditions, or career development, Advance will continue to advocate on your behalf and ensure your voice is heard.

Being a representative is an important role. You are often the first point of contact for members seeking advice, support, or reassurance. By staying visible, approachable, and engaged, you help strengthen our union and ensure that members continue to benefit from strong workplace representation.

As many of you will know, elections are currently taking place across our union – until 30^th November 2026. This is an important time for Advance, and I would like to thank everyone who has put themselves forward to represent our members. If you are undecided, please do give me a call and I will be happy to have a chat.

I am excited to see what our newly elected Area Representatives and NEC Representatives will bring to the table in 2027.

I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our Your Pay, Your Say survey. The level of engagement from members has been extremely encouraging and demonstrates the importance of ensuring your views and priorities help shape our work.

Every response strengthens our collective voice and helps Advance represent members more effectively in discussions with the bank. We are currently reviewing the feedback received and look forward to publishing the results with members soon.

Equally, our Starter for Ten campaign continues to be a great opportunity to start conversations with colleagues who may not yet be members and to help grow our collective voice. Every new member strengthens our ability to influence positive change on behalf of colleagues across the organisation.

Looking ahead, our NEC Representatives are planning a series of local Member Engagement Events during Q4. These will include site visits, drop-in sessions, coffee mornings, and informal meet-and-greet opportunities across our UK locations. Please keep an eye out for further details as dates and venues are confirmed.

On a personal note, over the summer I was fortunate enough to spend some valuable time with family and friends. It was a welcome reminder of how important it is for all of us to take time to recharge and look after our wellbeing. As workloads increase and the pace of change continues, I would encourage everyone to prioritise their health and wellbeing, helping to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Finally, thank you for your continued support, engagement and trust. By working together and speaking with a collective voice, we can navigate change with confidence and continue striving for positive outcomes for all our members.

Sinead Purse
President, Advance Union