Brian Boyd was elected secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council on 5 May 2005, succeeding Leigh Hubbard in this position, one of Australia's most powerful trade union roles. He is longstanding member of Birds Australia, now called BirdLife Australia. Mr Boyd worked for the Builders Labourers Federation from late 1979 to 1988 which included the period when the BLF was deregistered. He coordinated Victoria's building unions, when working as an industrial and campaigns officer with the Victorian Trades Hall since being elected to the position if Industrial Officer in 1988.