Martin Brown to leave Equity after nearly a quarter of a century

Equity assistant general secretary Martin Brown is to leave the organisation after 24 years.

Brown started with Equity in 1992 as assistant secretary for communications, before becoming campaigns and communication officer, and finally assistant general secretary for communication and membership support 11 years ago.

Brown said he had not expected to stay long when he first joined Equity, but added: “It must be a sign of how much I have enjoyed my working life here that I have never once looked for another job. However, I no longer want to work full-time and there are many other things I want to do with my life.”

The assistant general secretary said he was leaving on high point for both him and the union, and that he was proud to have played his part in the modernisation and revitalisation.

“In the past 10 years, under [general secretary] Christine Payne’s leadership, the union’s fortunes have been transformed. 10 years ago we were running a deficit, we now balance our books. Membership was falling, it is now growing year on year and is at its highest in Equity’s 86-year history,” he said.

He added: “Our campaigning has never been more successful – active members and Equity staff working together are a powerful force to be reckoned with.”

Brown will leave on December 31.