Ed Moss

Occupation: Social Entrepreneur

Co-operative Businesses traded with in last 12 months Food and Bank

Skills and experience

I have worked in the social enterprise sector in the UK for my whole working life, including being a previous member of the National Members’ Council; because the values of co-operatives and community businesses align with how I believe business should be done. I am an experienced social leader having been CEO as well held Vice Chair positions for regional community infrastructures. I bring fresh thinking and connection to many communities. Questions? @EdMossBtG / edmoss@bridgingthegap.tips

Additional information

My background and experience which I believe makes me well suited to be elected to represent members like you in the East Midlands include:

A former member of the Co-op National Members Council I was a co-opted member of the Council as a younger member (I was under 30 at the time) and now standing for election for a 3 year term, having been able to bring some innovative ideas into how the NMC operated and contributed to many working groups and committees in my short 1 year term.

Living Coop Values and Principals I understand that community is more than just the people near physical places, they are groups of interest too. These groups often work on the values of self help, self responsibility, solidarity, democracy and equality and equity. I have been part of starting groups myself and helping the members of these groups to understand what they have in common with co-operatives and therefore to buy from social businesses like the Co-op they are supporting an important ecosystem that supports them through initiatives such as local community funds.

Experienced leader in a social business I was CEO of a national youth social enterprise which engaged young people as consultants to advise public services on how to improve their delivery models to improve outcomes. During this time I developed an understanding of how complex supply chains operate and how to gain the trust and support of a network to bring everyone along as the organisation grew. I invested in my own development through a leadership and management qualification to increase my capability and understand of my approach to growing a sustainable organisation.

Engaging Young Members I was the first Chair (2013 - 2015) of the Co-op Group’s Young Members’ Board which seeks to engage with younger customers and member and promote their participation within the Co-op as lifelong active members. Our biggest success was during that time was gaining sign off in 2015, by the then CEO Richard Pennycook, of our ‘Manifesto.’ This outlined 6 key commitments the society would make to meaningfully engage with young people to design and evaluate products, services and processes that affect them. From Food store pizzas to a new Young Employees Network. In the re-launch of our meaningful membership we have seen the biggest growth of under 35s which is positive for the growth of co-operation as a business model for future generations as well as the health of our Co-op Society.

About me I live on a canal narrowboat and travel around the East Midlands and across the North. I have a partner and we sing in a choir that we run together in Manchester. I have always been passionate about making a difference, encouraging corporate transparency and the engagement of members and customers in the process of improving how an organisation operates. The Co-op’s Values and Principles come naturally to me as they are how I see the world improving, step by step.