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Naomi has already announced her intention to stand for re-election to the post she has held since 2022.

This information hub will be regularly updated throughout the process to reflect the current stage and the relevant details for candidates and members.

Current Stage: Applications

From 26 October to 20 November 2026, the Union is accepting applications to become a candidate in the election process. Below is all the information needed to apply to become a candidate.

Eligibility

To stand for election to the position of General Secretary, candidates must, either:

  • be a paying member throughout the five years prior to the application deadline, or
  • have had at least five years continuous employment with the MU prior to the application deadline.

The application deadline is midday (12pm) on Friday 20 November 2026.

Skills and Experience Requirements

General Secretary is the most senior position in a Trade Union. At the Musicians’ Union the position oversees the running of the entire organisation of over 36,000 members, the management of over 60 union officials and an annual turnover of around £10 million.

The General Secretary is required to lead all Union strategy, and work for members in conjunction and negotiation with Government and local authorities, other creative and Labour-affiliated Union leaders and the wide variety of UK and international music industry bodies and their representatives.

For further requirements, please check:

Please don’t apply for the role unless you are confident you have the skills and the experience required.

Initial Applications

An official application form has been designed specifically to collect all the information necessary to assess an applicant’s eligibility to become a candidate in the process:

Official General Secretary Election Application Form

Applications will only be considered if submitted using this official application form. In order for applicants to be accepted into the process they must meet the eligibility criteria and submit a copy of the official application form to the Process Administrator, accurately completed in full and signed, by the application deadline: midday (12pm) on Friday 20 November 2026

Further information regarding the completion of the official application form is available in the Candidate Rules and Guidelines.

Election Statement

The official application form contains space for prospective candidates to enter an election statement of up to 250 words, setting out their relevant experience, strengths and future vision for the Union, should they be successful. Election statements of candidates accepted into the election process will be published here on the MU website General Secretary election hub and will also be included in the ballot pack for the postal ballot, should the candidate reach that stage.

Further information and requirements for candidate election statements are available in the Candidate Rules and Guidelines.

Candidate Photograph

Candidates are also encouraged to provide one recent colour photograph of themselves by the Application Deadline, for publication on the MU website alongside their election statement and inclusion in the postal ballot pack, should the candidate reach that stage of the process.

Further information and requirements for candidate photographs are available in the Candidate Rules and Guidelines.

Successful Applications

The Process Administrator will assess applications (including Election Statements and Candidate Photographs) as soon as possible following receipt and will confirm to the candidate by email whether the application has been accepted such that they are able to move forward in the process. All applications remaining incomplete or not meeting the acceptance criteria at the time of the Application Deadline will not be accepted and the candidate will be notified that they are unable to move forward in the process.

Following the Application Deadline, all candidates who have had applications accepted will be announced through normal MU communication channels, and their election statements and photographs will be published here on the MU website General Secretary election hub.

Next Steps

This information hub will be regularly updated throughout the process to reflect the current stage and the relevant details for candidates and members. However, in order for prospective candidates to gain an idea of what will be expected of them throughout the remainder of the process, should they submit a successful application, a brief summary of the process is provided below:

Nomination Gathering

Successful applicants will have a period of 8 weeks in which to gather a minimum of 50 nominations from fellow MU members. An online nomination portal will be provided for this purpose.

Regional and Staff Hustings

During this 8-week period there will be six regional hustings, and one MU staff hustings held which candidates will be expected to attend and face a series of competency-based interview questions from the meeting Chair, followed by general questions from fellow members and staff focused on suitability for the role and their future plans should they be successful.

Postal Ballot

Following the nomination deadline all candidates who have secured the minimum 50 nominations will be included on the ballot paper for a 4-week postal ballot of MU members eligible to vote in order to decide the successful candidate.

Additional detail regarding the future stages of the election process, the rules and guidelines around campaigning and behaviour requirements during the process are available in the Candidate Rules and Guidelines.

Guidance for non-candidate members during the election process

Members are encouraged to take an active part in the election process, whether by nominating a candidate, attending a hustings meeting, supporting a candidate's campaign or voting in the postal ballot.

Our expectation is that members who choose to play an active part in supporting a candidate during the process do so with due respect for all candidates, and within both the MU Rules and the specific Guidelines for Members that have been developed to assist members during the process.

Process Oversight

Process Administrator

Day to day administration of the entire election process will be overseen by the “Process Administrator” AGS Phil Kear. The “Process Administrator,” is authorised to act on behalf of the EC in relation to all matters concerning the election process, and will be contactable by all parties via email to: GS-Election@themu.org

Election Administration Panel

An “Election Administration Panel” consisting of 3 EC members was elected by the MU Executive Committee at its meeting on 8 July 2026, which will assist the Process Administrator with decision-making, as needed, throughout the election process.

Independent Scrutineer

The independent scrutineer is a qualified, independent third-party appointed to oversee, verify, and guarantee the legal integrity of the election process. The independent scrutineer selected to oversee this election process by the MU Executive Committee at its meeting on 8 July 2026, was PIN Communications (formerly “UK Engage”) The Tannery, Water Street, Stockport SK1 2BP