Gail Cartmail

Cartmail attended Heronswood Secondary Modern School in Welwyn Garden City, having failed her eleven plus exam.

She left school with no qualifications, Cartmail began her working life as an apprentice hairdresser.

Later, she began working in the publishing industry, and eventually became Mother of the Chapel for the print union, the National Graphical Association, where she gained prominence for a campaign for equal pay for women, and studied at the London College of Printing.

[2] In 2007, Amicus became part of Unite, and Cartmail was appointed as its assistant general secretary with responsibility for public services.

[3] In 2016, when McCluskey stood down to contest a new election, Cartmail was chosen as acting general secretary.