Frances O'Grady is to step down as General Secretary of the Trade Union Congress later this year after ten years.
Highly respected across the labour movement, the 62-year-old was the first woman to be elected to the trade union body's top job in 2013.
She drew widespread praise for helping to negotiate the furlough scheme, which protected workers during the Covid pandemic, and began her career with the Transport and General Workers' Union, campaigning for a national minimum wage.
Ms O'Grady will stand down at the end of 2022.
She said: “Leading the TUC has been the greatest honour of my life. It has been a privilege to serve the trade union movement.
“Unions are a force for good in British society. I am proud of what we achieved during the pandemic – from securing furlough, to keeping people safe at work, championing equality, and keeping vital services running.
“And I’m proud of the work we do every day protecting workers’ jobs, pay, rights and working conditions.
“The last decade has been turbulent – with three general elections, two anti-trade union bills, an EU referendum and a pandemic to contend with.
“But on every occasion unions have risen to the challenge and fought for working people.
“I want to place on record my huge thanks to all union reps and officers – you are the lifeblood of our movement.
“I’m delighted to be stepping down at a time when the trade union movement is growing. There has never been a more important time to be a member of a trade union.”
During her time, Ms O'Grady has pushed for more security at work for gig economy workers and pressed ministers to install better health and safety guidance.
The mum-of-two has also championed women's rights and led calls for better protections against sex harassment in the workplace.
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: "TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady has been a great champion for working people all her life. She's a huge loss to the TUC.
"I'll always be grateful for her support and friendship. On behalf of the Labour Party, thank you for your incredible contribution to public life and best wishes for the future."
