Paul W Fleming has been re-elected as General Secretary of Equity, the UK’s leading trade union for performers and creative professionals, securing a decisive victory with 81% of the vote. His challenger, stunt performer and Equity councillor Riky Ash, received 19%.
The result affirms Fleming’s leadership and the union’s current direction under his stewardship. Addressing members following the announcement, Fleming said the outcome reflected widespread support for a “fighting, progressive union with an industrial agenda focused on delivering the industry they deserve.”
He continued: “Our union will meet the challenges facing Equity members – from artificial intelligence and dignity at work to pay, protecting venues and modern working practices. The policies set by our council and conference, informed by our branches and committees, are leading the way on these core issues for working people in every industry.”
First elected in 2020, Fleming is known for his pragmatic, no-nonsense approach and deep knowledge of industrial negotiations. Before becoming General Secretary, he served as a union official for the West End and played a crucial role in shaping major theatre agreements.
His first term coincided with one of the most challenging periods for the performing arts sector in living memory, as the COVID-19 pandemic brought large swathes of the industry to a standstill. Under his leadership, Equity campaigned for financial support for freelancers, pushed back against unfair contracts, and became a vocal opponent of threats to arts funding and the creative economy.
During his tenure, Equity’s membership grew to an all-time high of 50,000 – a milestone attributed to the union’s renewed visibility, political advocacy, and robust approach to collective bargaining. Fleming has also championed greater representation, equality, and safety within the profession, with particular focus on tackling bullying and harassment in the workplace.
The re-election campaign centred on the evolving landscape of performance work, with Fleming pledging to take on the rising influence of artificial intelligence in casting and performance, fight for better working conditions, and continue safeguarding live performance spaces across the UK.
His opponent, Riky Ash, had called for greater transparency within the union and reforms to the way Equity engages with younger and digitally focused members. Despite mounting a spirited campaign, he failed to gain significant traction among the broader membership.
Fleming’s second term will begin at a time when the UK’s arts sector is facing a host of pressures – from post-Brexit touring complications to cuts in arts education and funding across the country. He has signalled that his priorities will include lobbying for a more sustainable arts economy, ensuring better protections for freelance creatives, and securing Equity’s place at the forefront of discussions on future technologies.
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“The challenges are real,” Fleming said. “But our strength lies in our collective voice. Equity will continue to campaign boldly and organise smartly – to demand a fair deal for everyone working in the performing arts.”
The election result, delivered with such a resounding mandate, provides Fleming and his team with a solid foundation to push ahead with their ambitious agenda. Members and observers alike will be watching closely to see how the union navigates the next five years amid a rapidly changing cultural and economic climate.
Fleming’s re-election is widely seen as a vote of confidence not only in his leadership but also in the path that Equity has charted since 2020 – one rooted in activism, inclusion, and resilience for those who bring the UK’s arts to life.
