Maureen Beattie to seek re-election as Equity president

Maureen Beattie is seeking to retain her position as Equity’s president for a further two years, as the union announces the nominations for its biennial elections.

Beattie, who took over from Malcolm Sinclair in 2018, will be listed on the ballot against Adam Burns and Dave Eager when voting begins next month.

Equity had delayed its president, council, appeals and standing orders elections because of the Covid-19 pandemic, however according to the union’s rules they must be completed by the end of July.

Ballot papers will now be sent out on June 15 and voting will remain open until July 22.

The 2020 elections will also see the selection of a new council – including 12 general list councillors – for which 27 candidates are confirmed.

New members of the council, representing regions and areas including dance, minority ethnic members, dancers, circus and variety performers and young members, will also be elected, as will members of Equity’s appeals and standing orders committees.

This year’s voting coincides with the election of a new general secretary for the union, ahead of Christine Payne’s departure in October after 15 years in the job.

Paul Fleming and Simon Curtis are in the running for the position, with a ballot being sent to Equity members next month.

The election’s timings run slightly earlier than Equity’s president and council elections, with a new general secretary expected to be confirmed by mid-July.