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Our leadership team

Acas is a non-departmental public body of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Most of our funding is provided by the Department for Business and Trade.

Our Framework Document sets out the broad governance framework within which Acas and the Department for Business and Trade operate.

We are governed by an independent council made up of employer, worker and independent members. This means that we can provide an impartial service. 

We also have an Executive Board that works with the Acas Council to make sure we meet our targets.

Baroness Maggie Jones, Acas Chair

Niall Mackenzie, Acas Chief Executive

The Acas Council

The Acas Council governs our strategic direction, policies and priorities. It makes sure that we work effectively to meet our objectives and targets.

Council members are subject matter experts appointed by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

The Chair of the Acas Council is Baroness Maggie Jones, member of the House of Lords.

Jayne Haines
Simon Lewis
Barrister at Exchange Chambers
Martin McTague
National Chair of the FSB
Dave Penman
General Secretary of the FDA
Roy Rickhuss
General Secretary, Community Union
Nicola Smith
Director of Policy, TUC
Ben Summerskill
Director of the Criminal Justice Alliance
Mathew Percival
Future of Work and Skills Director of the CBI
Ijeoma Omambala
KC, Barrister at the Old Square Chambers
Christina McAnea

The Acas Council is supported by 2 sub-committees.

Find out more about our sub-committees

Executive Board

The Executive Board works with the Acas Council to make sure we meet our targets. The board is responsible for:

  • reviewing our performance and delivery
  • making sure that we're managed effectively
  • setting our strategy

Our Executive Board members are:

  • Niall Mackenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Accounting Officer
  • Sian Kimber, Director of People
  • Rob Mackintosh, Director of Finance and Governance
  • Angela Gowthorpe, Director of Advice and Business Solutions
  • Kevin Rowan, Director of Dispute Resolution
  • James Vincent, Director of Digital, Data and Technology
  • Kirsty Watt, Director of Strategy and External Affairs

Sub-boards

We also have 3 sub-boards that report to the Executive Board. These are:

  • Change Board
  • Digital Board
  • Artificial Intelligence Board

Conflicts of interest

Members of the Executive Board, Council and Audit Committee are required to declare any conflicts of interest. These are personal or business interests which may influence their judgement and conflict with their management responsibilities.

Find out more about the register of interests

Find out more

You can email secretariat@acas.org.uk if you:

  • have any questions about the Acas Council or Executive Board
  • want to request a copy of summary minutes of Acas Council meetings