Tim joined UNISON at the age of 22 after becoming active as a workplace steward and branch officer while working at the University of the West of England. He went to be a member of both Somerset and Bristol local government branches and played an active role in the union’s national and regional lay democracy.

In 2011, Tim became a regional organiser in UNISON Eastern, working with health and police branches across Essex and Suffolk. In 2016 he was promoted to regional manager and became regional secretary in 2020.

He was recently appointed regional secretary of UNISON South West in January 2026.