President: Frank Jones
Originally from County Meath, Frank has lived in County Kildare for more than twenty years
with his wife, Paula, and their three sons. His professional and personal life has been
shaped by a strong commitment to family, education, solidarity, and social justice.
Frank began his working life after completing his Leaving Certificate in 1989, training as a
car mechanic and working across Europe before returning to Ireland in the late 1990s.
Witnessing first-hand the poor pay and conditions facing many craft workers led him into
trade union activism. In 2000, he helped organise workers in the National Car Testing (NCT)
service and played a leading role in a national strike in 2001 that secured improved terms
and conditions for workers.
In 2002, Frank joined SIPTU as a full-time organiser with the AGEMO Division, representing
mechanics, drivers, and distribution workers, a role he held until 2017. He joined Irish
Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) in 2017 as Deputy General Secretary and was
appointed General Secretary in September 2021. He is widely recognised for his advocacy
on behalf of workers in higher education, including academic freedom, fair employment,
public investment in education, and democratic participation within universities.
In October 2025, Frank became President of People's College, a role that reflects his long-
standing commitment to lifelong learning, workers’ education, and the enduring values of the
trade union movement.
Director: Joanne Pearson
Dearbhla Coyle
Administrator
Paddy Cole
Webmaster
