Frances became TUC deputy general secretary in January 2003, the first woman ever to hold this post. Frances has lead responsibility for a wide range of key areas of policy development across the TUC's work including organising, inter-union relations, learning and skills, pay and the environment.

Prior to this, Frances headed up the TUC's Organisation and Services Department (OSD) and was director of the TUC New Unionism project that launched the Organising Academy and campaigns to rebuild and revitalise trade union membership. Frances was appointed to the Low Pay Commission in April 2007 and, more recently, to the High Pay Commission and the Commission on Living Standards. She is a member of the Green Economy Council, the Apprenticeship Ambassadors' Network and the Skills Funding Agency Advisory Group.

Previously, Frances worked as the TUC Campaigns Officer coordinating the TUC-wide campaign for new rights for part-time workers, the No Sweat campaign, on home working and the drive to end low pay. Before joining the TUC in 1994, Frances worked for the Transport and General Workers Union on social justice and equality issues.