Ewen MacLeod

Occupation: Retired Schoolteacher

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

Skills and experience

I am a long-term Co-operative activist. The past three years have been a period of massive change for the democratic structure of the Co-op Group. The process is still evolving and at its centre needs to be the voice of the member. I am concerned members are in danger of losing their grass-roots influence. My membership on specific Working Groups reflects my deep concerns that member voices need to be heard and acted upon.

Additional information

I am fortunate and privileged to have been an elected member of the Co-operative Group and its predecessor organisations for twenty-two years. I have extensive experience within the Co-operative’s Membership representative bodies from Area Committee to Regional Board hold the Certificate in Co-operation, the Diploma in Co-operation and the Group Board Development Centre Certificate. Consequently, I am much better equipped to represent the views of membership and act on their behalf. It is my belief active membership is the lifeblood of the Co-operative Group and elected representatives have a duty to ensure Member Voice is heard, acknowledged and acted upon.

The Co-operative Group is a member-owned organisation, relying on and trusting in suitably qualified employees at all levels to act in the best interests of members and the Society. The need for accountability thus is essential in this member-owned organisation. If not, the Society leaves itself a hostage to fortune. Effective member-led accountability and monitoring, which requires an active member base, confident in its abilities and beliefs in the efficacy of Co-operative Values and Principles is more likely to ensure success within the organisation. However, ordinary members appear now to have less of a voice than ever before and previous and effective networks seem to have been allowed to wither, reducing the ability of members to hold staff to account. Work is being done to redress this but progress is painfully slow. The past three years have been a period of massive change for the democratic structure of the Co-op Group. The process is still evolving and at its centre needs to be the voice of the member. I am concerned members are in danger of losing their grass roots influence.

My membership on the Governance Review Task and Finish Group and the Rules Review Working Groups reflect my deep concerns that member voices need to be heard and acted upon. The National Members’ Council must reflect the ambitions, hopes, wishes and desires of its membership. This can only be done by having systems at grass root level to meaningfully represent members and to then be able to effectively communicate them. This must be seen as a significant role for the Council am an enthusiastic, committed co-operator who believes deeply in the co-operative movement.

I actively work to spread the message of co-operation and go out of my way to ensure that message is heard. The concept of co-operation is fundamentally different and is difficult for many not familiar with co-operation to understand. There is a greater need to make known the worth of the movement within communities small and large. What the movement stands for is precious because it is very different. However this difference is not a complicated one. If elected, I will carry out my duties diligently.

I will be active, innovative and will remain completely committed to disseminating the message of Co-operation.