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Meet the team
Aegis Full-time officers
Brian McDaid
General Secretary
Brian McDaid takes on the role of General Secretary, bringing with him a long-standing commitment to championing the rights, voices, and wellbeing of union members.
From a very young age, Brian has been driven by a deep-seated passion to support individuals who may not otherwise have a voice in society.
This led him to become a union representative early in his career, a path he has followed with dedication ever since.
In his role as General Secretary, Brian will provide strategic leadership for the union, working closely with the Deputy General Secretary and Assistant General Secretaries to represent members across all branches. He is focused on maintaining strong, clear communication between the union and its members, ensuring their concerns are heard and effectively represented.
Career highlight: Brian reflects on many proud moments throughout his career, from supporting individuals through difficult personal circumstances to securing successful collective outcomes with employers, particularly in pay negotiations.
In recent times, Brian is proud to have launched the union’s Neurodiversity Campaign.
Representation:
* General Federation of Trade Unions – Executive Member
* Yorkshire & Humber Regional TUC – Executive Member
* Skipton Town Council – Councillor
* Local Specialist School – Local Authority Governor
Ricky Markham
Assistant General Secretary Aegon
Ricky’s Aegis path began in 2012 when he was nominated as a rep, attending all Divisional Committee meetings. He was elected to the Central Council and then years later, to the National Council.
His role is to support the work of the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary and ensure good communication between the union and its Aegon members.
Career highlight: He recently tabled a motion to the STUC conference in Dundee, to protect the e-disadvantaged from the mass closures of bank and post office branches. He has also raised a motion on AI at the TUC LGBT+ Conference.
Representation: Sits on the STUC LGBT+ Committee
Ania Lomax
Deputy General Secretary
Ania has been involved in union activity since 2008. She was Assistant General Secretary for our Yorkshire Building Society Division for 10 years before taking over as Deputy General Secretary from Fiona Steele in May, 2024.
Ania’s role is to support the General Secretary and to help lead the day-to-day management and operations of Aegis the Union.
Career highlight: Transferring YISA (Yorkshire Independent Staff Association) into Aegis the Union, in 2014, ensuring the Union at YBS was totally independent from the employer and continuing to provide a high level of support and benefits to members. Other highlights have been taking on the role of the Chair for the Alliance for Finance, as well as stepping up into the role of Deputy General Secretary.
Representation: Chairperson for the Alliance for Finance.
Matt Naylor
Assistant General Secretary Yorkshire Building Society
Matt worked for Yorkshire Building Society for 12 and a half years before leaving in December 2025. During his time at YBS, he held a number of roles within the mortgage function, including positions as a people leader.
Alongside his professional roles, Matt was actively involved in union work for over 10 years. This included serving as a workplace representative and Branch Treasurer, before moving into the role of Assistant General Secretary in January 2026.
Matt’s role is to support the work of the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary, while helping to ensure effective communication between the union and its YBS members.
Career highlight: Matt has been involved in a wide range of complex and challenging member cases, always focused on achieving the fairest possible outcomes. He has also played an active role in decision-making within the union and previously within YBS as an employer, giving him the opportunity to lead, influence and support positive change.
Representation: Matt represents Aegis on a number of committees, including the Health and Safety Committee.
Steve Crotty
Assistant General Secretary Skipton Building Society/Computershare
Steve worked for Yorkshire Building Society for 17 years in a variety of roles and became a union rep in 2014. He was promoted to Assistant General Secretary for YBS in May 2024 and recently moved across to Skipton Building Society and Computershare
His role is to support the work of the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary and ensure good communication between the union and its SBS/Computershare members.
Career highlight: Leading his first pay negotiations to a successful outcome this year - as well as protecting members benefits from change in 2022 during a long negotiation process.
