
Linda grew up in St John’s Wood, North London, in Council Housing. She left school at 16 and joined Abbey National shortly afterwards. After only three weeks, she was promoted and, over the following years, has built up a comprehensive knowledge of different parts of the Bank, which has helped her in her current role.
At 17, Linda became fully involved in the Abbey National Staff Association (as the Union was then named) and, from that time, has been involved in all aspects of the running of the Union. Indeed, one of Linda’s first accomplishments as General Secretary was to bring Abbey National Group Union into the TUC as the first trade union from the Banking industry to join. The Union leadership team delivered this with John Monks.
Linda is unique amongst General Secretaries in holding an Evening Helpline every Thursday in which Union members can receive confidential advice directly from the General Secretary. By exception, she is also available to take emergency calls at weekends and, therefore, (as her friends will testify!) takes her mobile everywhere. In subscribing to Corporate Social Responsibility, Linda has given off her time by sitting on Employment Tribunals in Holborn, where she used her experience to ensure that people in various industries received a fair outcome to their issues with employers.
Linda has always been interested in politics. She also supports many different charities, helping a variety of causes and especially the local Dog Rescue (in addition to Dogs Trust), the National Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Salvation Army. With her support of charities, one of Linda’s favourite quotes comes from Winston Churchill, who said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give”.
Linda has also mentored a boy throughout his childhood and teenage years. Whilst she brought him to National Heritage sites such as Hampton Court, the Tower of London and Stonehenge, he introduced her to the joys of the latest series of the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy!
When she eventually gets time to relax, Linda enjoys taking her rescue Staffie (Blossom) for walks and educating her Dog on “life according to LBC”. Indeed, having listened to Radio 4 and LBC, Blossom herself can now also discuss politics! When adding a dog to a family, Linda supports the current project being run by the Battersea Dogs Home, which asks people to adopt a rescue dog. She herself always adopts a rescue dog and lives by the motto “Adopt – don’t shop”. Linda also enjoys reading and socialising with her family and friends.