David Bromilow

Occupation: Accountant

Co-operative Businesses traded with in last 12 months Food

Skills and experience

Representing the interests of the Manx members, to ensure that their Co-operative Values and Principles are upheld, is an honour that I ask you to allow me to continue. The work I have initiated on member capital, to bring the historic benefits of co-operation to members has only just begun. Please give me the opportunity to deliver this for you.

Additional information

During the past three years I have taken the responsibility of representing co-operative members on the Isle of Man seriously. Carrying forward the views of the Manx Society, members and employees to the Members Council so the Islands voice is heard. This has been the first opportunity for members to be represented directly at a national level.

I speak to members at any opportunity and have given several talks on the Island on how co-operation works and how it affects the Island. I have been able to help members with queries and take their concerns forward. Not least those of employees of the Society promoting the best working conditions and pay that is possible. The Council has had some success in this area and has been vocal in defence of employees.

As well as protecting the interests of members by ensuring that Values and Principles are followed by the Board a careful eye has been kept on the finances of the Co-op. In particular central costs, revenue streams and capital costs. My knowledge of finance and particularly co-operative finance have helped me to provide committees with information and insight to enable effective governance. In particular I have promoted the use of member capital as a way to finance the organisation. Recent reports have strengthened my assertions that member capital is a safe and effective form of finance. Traditionally it is the link between members and their Co-op. This capital has the means to transform members’ lives both directly by growing into a personal fund and indirectly by providing services that people on average wages are struggling to provide for themselves. For the Isle of Man, access to these funds would provide an incredible opportunity for members and the Island as a whole.

Due to strong lobbying co-operative member capital has now started to appear on agendas. While not being the only member promoting this, and I thank the many members, who supported the motions I brought to the Council, I am a prime mover behind this work. The work is not over and while the benefits have not been felt by members as yet it, is important that this continues. It may be that without member pressure, members are not provided with the full opportunities that they deserve and are central to co-operation. Holding the Board to account on this is why the Council was created and this is central to our Values and Principles. Thank you to all the members on the Isle of Man for their support over the past three years. It has been an honour to represent the Isle of Man members’ interests.