William Brett, Baron Brett

Who was William Brett, Baron Brett?

William Henry "Bill" Brett, Baron Brett was a British Labour politician and businessman. He was previously the Labour Party's spokesperson for International Development.

Born in Heywood in Lancashire, the son of William and Mary Brett was educated in Radcliffe Technical College, in Radcliffe, near Bury. From 1958 to 1964, he worked for British Railways, from 1965 to 1967, he was administrative assistant for Transport Salaried Staffs Association, and from 1966 to 1968 North West organiser for National Union of Bank Employees. Between 1968 and 1974, Brett was divisional officer for the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs. For the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists, he was Assistant General Secretary from 1980 to 1989 and General Secretary from 1989 to 1999.

Also from 1989 to 1999, he was a member of the executive committee for the Public Services International, and of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress. Between 1992 and 2003, Brett was member, vice-chairman, chair of the worker group and chair of the Governing body of the International Labour Office in Geneva.