Community the Union is one of the largest trade unions in the UK, founded from the ISTC union in 2004. It currently represents approximately 28,000 members within the UK from a number of diverse industries. Community currently employs approximately 80 staff in a number of regions throughout the UK and Ireland. The Prison Service Union (PSU) transferred to Community Union in April 2013 as part of a transfer of engagements. As a senior employee of the Community Union (formerly known as PSU) I report directly to the UK National Officer for the Justice & Custodial Sector. I am currently responsible and accountable for setting the strategic and operational direction for IR within all recognised collective bargaining agreements within the UK. My role and responsibilities to date have included, but are not limited to:▪ Assisting in the transition (as regulated under TUPE) from the Prison Service Union (PSU) governing rules to that of Community Union structures both at a local branch level and existing Executive level within the union. My key responsibilities during the transition were as follows:I primarily focused on increasing the standard and improving the quality of direct engagement between local branch representatives of the union and members in order to increase the level of employee engagement and industrial relations Training & up skilling local branch officials to effectively manage change as well as align their role to the new branch structure. This also involved reducing the cycle time for implementing change management & new procedures of working/negotiating in order to overcome IR barriers in order to minimise the risk of industrial action.