Grant Wolstencroft

Occupation: Retired Lecturer

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

Skills and experience

The Group offers an alternative to people and communities excluded by mainstream democracy and economy. If elected, I would work hard to help the Group achieve its potential through - Reinforcing Values and Principles; Acting locally; Involving members and communities; developing fruitful partnerships; and Being forward-looking and innovative. The Group has stabilised and is leader of the UK Co-operative Movement but is severely challenged by competition, new technology, and a volatile world. Please contact grantw2000@gmail.com

Additional information

If elected I shall work hard in the best interests of the Group and all its members, employees and customers.

I would base this on my decades of experience in the Co-operative Movement, in membership, community and voluntary work, in education and in business.

My experience is in both professional and voluntary capacities. Over many years I have worked in governance positions, and in also in holding governance to account, so I know both sides of the equation.

Although still a member of other organisations including co-operatives, I have no ties to their governance so I am an independent candidate. I seek to represent the member and customer. .

I feel I am therefore well qualified to contribute to the role of the Members Council, in holding the Board to account for the performance of the business and adherence to Co-operative Values and Principles

I would be glad to discuss any matters of interest or concern, please email on grantw2000@gmail.com

Commercially the Group has been brought back from the brink through diligence and prudence, but still faces enormous challenges from aggressive competitors, fast- developing technology, political changes and a volatile global environment.

Nevertheless the Group remains the central driving force behind the Co-operative Movement in the UK.

Recent events indicate that many people and communities are disillusioned with current mainstream democratic and business practices. This is so in the traditional heartlands of Co-operation.

The Co-operative Movement, led by the Group. Has much to offer these people and communities, just as much as it did in the 19th and 20th. Centuries.

The Group has diminished in size and influence since the mid-20th Century,

However the Group still has the potential to develop and offer an alternative way forward to the many people who currently feel disempowered and excluded by the mainstream.

Through applying the Co-operative Values and Principles the Group can transform the lives of these people and communities for the better.

Done properly this would consolidate and strengthen the Group’s commercial performance.

I consider that to do so the Group and the Movement would need to;-

1) Reinforce the Co-operative Values and Principles; - including some which have been lost, and look to develop new ones if necessary.

2) Involve members and customers more and meaningfully

3) Act more locally - devolve power to members and communities

4) Detach more from those mainstream institutions and organisations which have become “out of touch” with many people and communities,

5) Be forward looking and innovative.

If elected I would work to achieve these.