Deepa

I am very pleased to endorse Deepa Govindarajan Driver for the role of honorary treasurer. I believe Deepa will act as a transparent and confident voice for members in the treasurer role. I have known Deepa and seen her in action for some years, taking on key roles at a senior level as a Black and Disabled woman. This includes her work as a USS pensions negotiator during the key dispute period. In this position, she held strong for the interests of members under considerable pressure from USS and the employers, a position which ultimately secured a victory. As HEC Vice Chair I have seen her act to defend the democracy of the union, again demonstrating her capacity to uphold her principles under pressure. On HEC she has consistently spoken up over member access to the fighting fund. She has a background in finance, giving her the knowledge of detail needed to meet the demands of this key role in a way which advocates for members' capacity to defend and build. I will be voting for Deepa and encourage all members to vote for her too.

I have known Deepa for several years as a union colleague. She has displayed great energy, knowledge and commitment in the campaign to defend the value of USS pensions. As a retired member, I am very aware of the importance of defending pensions, so that future generations do not suffer poverty in old age.
Dr Driver has extensive professional and academic knowledge of the financial sector and governance matters related to finance. This equips her ideally for the role of UCU Honorary Treasurer. The careful and responsible management of UCU finances is essential for the union’s ability to represent members and run campaigns and disputes.
Deepa is strongly committed to upholding UCU democracy, involving members in decision-making and respecting the UCU constitution. She actively supports progressive causes and UCU’s equality and environmental agendas.
I will be voting for Deepa as Honorary Treasurer and I hope you will do so too.

I strongly endorse Deepa Govindarajan Driver for the role of Treasurer. She is a long-standing UCU activist with extensive experience at every level of UCU including time served on NEC, HEC and as as UCU Pensions negotiator. Her background in finance makes her particularly suited to this role. Deepa has a long-standing track record of fighting for members at every level of the union with an understanding that union funds are there to support members who are fighting for the very heart of post-16 education Please give Deepa your vote for treasurer; she will bring integrity and financial acumen to the role

Today, with the fallout from marketisation coming hard and fast, UCU faces serious challenges. To confront these we need a democratic and member-led union willing to fight. Having played a key role in the pensions fight, Deepa Driver knows the lay of the land and is willing and able to stand up for our members. No other candidate can bring the combination of skills and democratic principles to the important role of Treasurer. Give her your vote.

Our colleague Deepa works at Reading University and is an expert in Financial Regulation systems. She is a kind, but critical professional and I have found it a pleasure collaborating with her online and at Congress.
Deepa is currently chair of national negotiators on USS and was part of the team that undid pension cuts / won back pensions.
In addition, she has supported colleagues in FE and in prisons.
Deepa is a friend of Further Education.
The Treasurer role is a very senior officer role in the team of elected National Officers and the role holder is the spokesperson on all financial matters and is the only financial Officer politically accountable to members. The Treasurer has oversight of all aspects of the unions finances.

I endorse Deepa as the best candidate for our next honorary treasurer. You can see for yourselves the successes she has had under her belt for the union membership eg as a union negotiator in the pension dispute.

More personally I was also so impressed by her respect for our UCU staff while working together for over 2 years on the legal panel - she was honourable and intelligent throughout that time. We need lay reps to work intelligently with our UCU staff in order to progress our campaigns effectively. She showed her ability to apply financial skills, knowledge and oversight and commitment to the needs of the union on a number of levels of difficulty.

I believe Deepa has the credentials and the skills needed to be able to commit to the role of treasurer and deliver what our union needs. We need someone like Deepa with her drive and commitment to make a real
Impact on the union.

Please vote for Deepa.

Please support Deepa for Hon Treasurer of UCU. In the many contributions to UCU she has made she has demonstrated a strong understanding of finances and an equally strong commitment to member representation and participation. This was particularly evident in the many roles she has held in relation to USS negotiations. but is equally clear in terms of how she approaches her role as an elected member of NEC.

We need a Treasurer who is committed to making our finances transparent and understandable to members I believe Deepa is that person. Please vote for her.