Jonathan Baume
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Edward Baume has been General Secretary of the FDA since 1997 and a member of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress
(TUC) since 2001.
, and Keble College, Oxford
(BA Hons 1974; MA). While at University, he was active in student politics as a member of the International Socialists
and then the Trotskyist International Marxist Group
which was the British section of the Fourth International.
Following the announcement of Elizabeth Symons' resignation as General Secretary, the FDA National Executive interviewed several candidates to replace her and agreed to propose Baume as her successor. However, former FDA member Tony Engel (who had not been a candidate) demanded a ballot of the whole membership to decide between himself and Baume who then received 68% of the votes cast.
, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
. After suffering from back problems, he took up yoga. His other hobbies are jazz, world music and rambling. He is a member of the Athenaeum Club
.
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
(TUC) since 2001.
Education
He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, WakefieldQueen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School is an independent school in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. QEGS is distinct from most other schools in that it was founded by Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I in 1591 at the request of leading citizens in Wakefield 75 in total and some of whom formed the...
, and Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
(BA Hons 1974; MA). While at University, he was active in student politics as a member of the International Socialists
Socialist Workers Party (Britain)
The Socialist Workers Party is a far left party in Britain founded by Tony Cliff. The SWP's student section has groups at a number of universities...
and then the Trotskyist International Marxist Group
International Marxist Group
The International Marxist Group was a Trotskyist group in Britain between 1968 and 1982. It was the British Section of the Fourth International. It and its youth organisation had had around 1,000 members and supporters in the late 1970s...
which was the British section of the Fourth International.
Career
- Oxfordshire County CouncilOxfordshire County CouncilOxfordshire County Council, established in 1889, is the county council, or upper-tier local authority, for the non-metropolitan county of Oxfordshire, in the South East of England, an elected body responsible for the most strategic local government services in the county.-History:County Councils...
, 1974–77 - Department of Employment Group, 1977–87
- Trades Union CongressTrades Union CongressThe Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
(Organisation and Industrial Relations Department), 1987–89 - FDA (trade union): Assistant General Secretary, 1989–94; Deputy General Secretary, 1994–97
Following the announcement of Elizabeth Symons' resignation as General Secretary, the FDA National Executive interviewed several candidates to replace her and agreed to propose Baume as her successor. However, former FDA member Tony Engel (who had not been a candidate) demanded a ballot of the whole membership to decide between himself and Baume who then received 68% of the votes cast.
Government advisor
He has served on three Government advisory groups:- Ministerial Advisory Group on Openness in the Public Sector 1998–99
- Ministerial Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2001–present
- Age Advisory Group, Department of Trade and Industry 2004–present
Outside interests
He is a member of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and the National TrustNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
. After suffering from back problems, he took up yoga. His other hobbies are jazz, world music and rambling. He is a member of the Athenaeum Club
Athenaeum Club, London
The Athenaeum Club, usually just referred to as the Athenaeum, is a notable London club with its Clubhouse located at 107 Pall Mall, London, England, at the corner of Waterloo Place....
.