A new Chief Conciliator has been appointed at Acas, the government-backed body that helps resolve workplace disputes across the UK, including those involving Renfrewshire-based employers and trade unions.
Joanna Nunn will take on the senior national role from Monday, 3rd November, after nearly two decades with Acas. She succeeds Marina Glasgow, who became the organisation’s first female Chief Conciliator in 2023.
Having joined Acas in 2006, Joanna has built extensive experience in mediation and collective bargaining, working to bring employers, workers and unions together to resolve conflicts. Her team handles more than 500 disputes each year, with pay negotiations remaining one of the leading causes of workplace tensions.
Announcing the appointment, Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said: “Jo has a huge amount of experience resolving conflicts and has brought her conciliation skills to bear on many high-profile disputes in recent years. Her leadership will be crucial to helping resolve disputes at work and continuing our long tradition of excellent service to both employers and workers.”
Joanna said she was proud to take on the role during a period of significant employment law reform: “Acas’s collective conciliation service is hugely successful at helping people find common ground and work through their differences. The knowledge and skill of our conciliators is going to be more vital than ever.”
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service – better known as Acas – is marking its 50th anniversary this year. The organisation provides free, impartial advice and support to help improve workplace relations, and its services are frequently used by employers and employees across Renfrewshire.
In the past year alone, Acas’s collective conciliation team helped resolve or make progress toward settlement in 93% of the 522 cases it handled across Britain.