A NATIONAL organisation that works to improve workers’ rights in Britain has appointed a new director.

James Harrison, a former representative for Civil Service union PCS in the UK Border Agency and later the Passport Office, will head the independent Institute of Employment Rights (IER).

He joined the IER in 2015 as national co-ordinator and became assistant director in 2021 and worked closely with previous directors Cad Jones and Ben Sellers.

“I’m very much aware that these are big shoes to fill, but I’m ready to do what needs to be done to ensure the success of IER into the future,” he said.

The IER works with the labour and trade union movement on the issues of trade union rights and labour law alongside a network of academics, researchers and lawyers.

It was founded in 1989 and became a registered charity in 1994.