Former Fire Brigades Union Leader Matt Wrack Elected NASUWT General Secretary in Contested Vote

Matt Wrack, former leader of the Fire Brigades Union, has been elected as the permanent general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union after winning 5,249 votes against challenger Neil Butler's 3,126 in the union's first contested leadership election since 1990. The election saw a low turnout, with less than 5% of eligible members participating. Wrack was initially named general secretary following endorsement by the union’s national executive, but Butler challenged the appointment legally, leading to a reopened nomination process and the union paying substantial legal costs. Wrack emphasized his commitment to addressing teacher pay, workload, and working conditions, highlighting the need for government investment in education. NASUWT leaders praised the election as a demonstration of the union’s democratic strength and expressed confidence in Wrack’s leadership moving forward. Despite Wrack’s lack of teaching experience, he positioned the union as a strong voice for teachers, aiming for unity and action to improve the profession.