The SEJ rounds up some of the recent changes within the EIS staffing structure, with some new employees and some long-time employees in new roles.

Look out for more new faces in upcoming editions of the SEJ

Lewis Akers, Organiser

I started my life as a trade unionist at 17 when I started working at Nationwide Building Society and started representing my colleagues in the call centre.

In 2022 I was offered a full-time secondment to the union to work as a cases officer and supported and represented members both collectively and individually. I was successful in applying to work for NASUWT Scotland as an organiser where I was the Branch Secretary for the NASUWT Staff Unite Branch.

I am really enjoying my time with the EIS so far and I am excited about continuing to support our members win in their workplaces.

Craig Carson, National Officer Education and Equality

Before starting at the EIS, I was a primary school teacher for many years and I was the rep in my school.

I became involved in my Local Association which was a great opportunity to support members and influence local policy. A few years ago I joined the staff of the EIS as an Organiser where I supported reps and branches at school, college and university levels.

I enjoyed running training courses on a variety of topics and supporting EIS campaigns both locally and nationally.

In April, I successfully interviewed for the post of National Officer in the Education & Equality Department with a focus on primary and ASN. I’m looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities that lie ahead plus representing members’ views with national stakeholders.

Brian Cooper, National Officer: Head of Communications

I joined the EIS in 2001, with responsibility for Communications.
I had previously worked as a Communications Officer for two different government agencies, and had also spent some time as an agency journalist and as a media trainer.

My role has grown and evolved over the years, and I am now head of a department of four people, with responsibility for a wide range of communications activity including PR & media relations, social media, the EIS website, member communications and the SEJ.

As a result of the staffing review process, my post was recently regraded to align it with National Officer posts, while retaining the role of Head of Communications, under the line-management of the General Secretary.

Paula Dixon, Area Officer

Prior to working in the EIS, I taught English, Communication and Spanish in Glasgow Clyde College (formally Anniesland) for 27 years, and for many of those years I was an EIS rep, including Branch Secretary.

I was also a member of EIS Council and EIS FELA Executive.
In September 2024 I was seconded to the EIS to take on the temporary role of National Officer for FE.

My new role of Area Officer is allowing me to continue to help members and branches, and I look forward to working in this role.

Murray Mcleod, Pensions and Payroll specialist

I have worked in pay, pensions and conditions of service matters for 34 years, in both, private and public sector, with DC Thomson, Dundee City Council and a two year period seconded to Angus Council.

I have been involved in trade unions as a workplace rep with the GMB and during my employment with Dundee City Council worked closely with the SNCT and DNCT joint secretaries on creating national and local agreements in a range of matters including appendix 2.19 of the SNCT handbook, job sizing FAQs and a number of part time calculators.

I have also worked closely with the Scottish Public Pensions agency over the years in relation to various policy matters and look forward to working alongside Stephen and the wider Employment Relations Team in supporting members.

Leah Stalker, National Officer, employment relations.

I was appointed as a member of the Area Officer team in 2013 assisting our Local Associations with negotiations and individual members with issues of discipline and grievance.

At the outset, I was based in our Edinburgh Area Office before moving to the Glasgow office in 2018. Following a colleague’s retirement, I moved to the North East and covered Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and Highland council areas, with an administrative base in the Dundee Area Office.

Last autumn I took up my new role as National Officer Employment Relations where I provide Health and Safety advice and assist members with personal injury claims.

Andrew O’Halloran, Area Officer

Prior to my recent appointment as Area Officer, I was a modern languages teacher (French and Spanish) for over 20 years, mainly in Dumfries and Galloway, although I am originally from the Central Belt.

From 2017 to 2025 I was the EIS Local Association Secretary for Dumfries and Galloway. I have served on the Education and Equality committees, as well as the National Executive, and I am active on my local Trades Council.

I am delighted to join the EIS staff and I am thoroughly enjoying my new Area Officer role, especially the opportunities it gives me to support members and local associations across the country.

Dan Thompson, Area Officer

I became an Area Officer just before Christmas, after spending over eight years as an Organiser with the EIS. My work focuses on supporting members and local associations with issues ranging from individual casework to wider collective concerns.

Before joining the EIS, I worked for three years with the NUT in the South East of England. Prior to that, I taught Religious Studies for around nine years in a boys’ comprehensive school in Berkshire, where I became active in union work.

It’s a real privilege to be in a role where I can support members and contribute to the collective strength of the profession across Scotland.