North West

As a dedicated Co-op member with 23 years' experience in the food industry, I bring strong leadership, strategic thinking and a deep commitment to Co-operative Values. I am an advocate for fairness, collaboration and member representation. With excellent communication skills, sound judgment and a passion for improving communities, I will challenge constructively and champion members' voices. I am organised, influential and driven to ensure Co-op remains member-focused.

I'm very passionate about the Co-op and proudly served as President of our National Members' Council for six years. I previously chaired the board of Venture Housing Association during their recent amalgamation with a Merseyside Registered Provider, and now serve on the board of another Liverpool housing association. I am the Chief Executive Officer of the Co-op Foundation, and served four years as a member of the Co-op Party’s National Executive. I also sit on the board of the trading arm of a Merseyside foodbank and renewable energy co-op.

Every member's voice matters. But the reality is, not every voice is heard. I want to change that. I want to amplify the voices of our diverse member-owners so we can meet their evolving needs. And it's something I know I can do. I've dedicated my career in the charity sector to relentlessly advocating for young people and those affected by mental illness, life-limiting illnesses and humanitarian crises to generate positive change.

At 16 I got my first Coop card and since have been a dedicated advocate. Over the last 5 years that I’ve been on council I’ve worked to represent the voices of young people and all members alike. I've championed better communication, pricing and outreach to ensure that every member gets the most from their membership. If re-elected, I'll continue to prioritise inclusivity, innovation, and community engagement, driving our Co-op forward together.

It is 10 years since I became one of the founders of the National Members' Council, representing your interests and views in the North West. I also was a founder Member Pioneer and, before that, a member of the North Lancashire and South Cumbria Area Committee. As a passionate supporter of The Co-operative, our values and principles, together with our colleagues in the region, I am keen to continue my important role on the Council.

Having been Co-opted to the Members' Council, we've influenced the Board's strategic direction to making our shops safe with our Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign, leading to the first ever Retail Crime Action Plan. I'm on the People and Communities Committee, if re-elected to Council, I'll champion the voice of our diverse members, work collaboratively so our Co-op remains a market-leading viable, sustainable, and ethical business, with our member and community values at its core.

I genuinely believe in the Co-op's values and principles, especially helping local communities through a fairer way of doing business. As well as being a member of the Co-op, I also bank with the Co-operative Bank and I’m a member of the Co-operative Party. I’ve even done a research degree on the history of the Co-operative Movement! I’m particularly keen on raising the profile of all things Co-op, both at a local and national level.

I have previously worked at Co-op HQ in the Food Policy Team. I am keen to see the Co-op standout as a valuable contributor to the communities it's in and have a positive impact on society through its operations both in local communities and beyond.