David Pickles, President
Work Experience.
Employed for 13 years by WHSmith Retail in a variety of roles before being elected President in 1998. In this full time role, subject to re-election every five years, David chairs all appropriate Union meetings and heads all Committees when meeting with employers. David is also highly experienced and active in representing individuals in internal grievance and disciplinary hearings, and is Senior Trustee, looking after the Union's financial affairs. Prior to being elected President, David had been active in all other voluntary RBA roles for all of his WHS career.

Life Experience
Father of three; active in his local community (Church and as a School Governor) before moving to Swindon in 1998. Knows what it is like at the sharp end of retailing.
Star sign, Scorpio - enough said!

Likes and Dislikes
dislikes injustice and abuse, enjoys "customer facing" ( - meeting and advising members) and problem solving. Everton supporter (someone has to be!). Dislikes having too little time to be with his children.

Paul Lee, National Officer
Work Experience
Joined the RBA in 1988 after graduating in Business Studies and having previously worked for many years in the Print Industry. Represents individual members in internal grievance and disciplinary processes and to all types of Tribunal. Advises and assists members and Officers in all aspects of employment law, employment relations and health & safety, on an individual basis, to Committees, and in meetings with employers. The only Officer never to have worked in Retail - wouldn't last five minutes past the first stroppy customer, he thinks.

Life Experience
Star Sign - typical Leo. Happily married; interested in computers and gadgets. Member of Greenpeace and Amnesty International. Not much time for anything else!

Likes and Dislikes
Likes a challenge, dislikes losing; likes being "mature", dislikes being 58. Manchester United (armchair) supporter. Loves good food and wine (it shows!)

Sarah Thomas, Central Office Manager
Work Experience
Joined the RBA in 1983 as a Receptionist and has been promoted through various roles, becoming Office Manager in 1995. Oversees and manages all office functions, arranges meetings and conferences, and ensures that everyone does what they are supposed to do!

Life Experience
Happily married and a devoted mother of James, star sign libra.

Likes and Dislikes
Netball player (in the days that she had time!); Liverpool fanatic (the club rather than the city); likes order, dislikes chaos (hence still in the office); enjoys walking and gardening.

- the people on the road, our Regional Officers:
Regional Officers work on their regions (as one would expect) and are available to visit stores, members and prospective members. Their main workload is representation of members at local and higher levels. They also provide a vital function in training and advising Representatives and Delegates.

Gina Thorp, Northern Regional Officer
Work Experience
Gina spent 23 years in WHS Retail, during which time being very active within the RBA, before leaving to work full time for the Union in 1992. Like all her colleagues, Gina is very aware of, and experienced in, life in Retail and is well able to relate to and advise members everywhere.

Life Experience
Gina would describe herself as happily independent, self willed, self opinionated and self righteous - in fact all that's good about being an Aries. We would hesitate to contradict her in any way!

Likes and Dislikes
Gina's only "dislike" encompasses a wide range - anyone who causes others stress. Her "likes" include her cats and going to the cinema.