Equity (British trade union)

Equity
Equity (incorporating the Variety Artistes' Federation)
Founded1930; 94 years ago (1930)
HeadquartersGuild House, Upper St Martin's Lane, London, England, WC2H 9EG
Members
Increase 46,683 (2021)[1]
General Secretary
Paul W. Fleming
President
Lynda Rooke
Affiliations
Websitewww.equity.org.uk

Equity, formerly officially titled the British Actors' Equity Association, is the trade union for the performing arts and entertainment industries in the United Kingdom.

Formed by a group of West End performers in 1930, the union grew to include performers and stage management nationwide, as well as gaining recognition in audio, film, and television. Equity incorporated the Variety Artistes' Federation in 1967, and now represents most professionals whose work is presented on stage or screen.

As of 2021, it had just over 46,000 members, including actors, singers, dancers, variety artistes and other performers, models, theatre directors, choreographers, designers, and stage management.[2]

Equity requires its members to have unique professional names to avoid confusion with other artists and entertainers.[3]

  1. ^ "Annual Return for a Trade Union" (PDF). publishing.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  2. ^ Equity (Incorporating the Variety Artistes' Federation): annual returns. UK Certification Officer.
  3. ^ "Equity – Equity Name". Equity. Retrieved 2 July 2018.