John Summers

Occupation: Retired Process Manager

Co-operative Businesses traded with in last 12 months Food

Skills and experience

A long-time supporter of the Co-op, I believe that it plays an important and distinct role in our communities. I want to make good use of my time, after over 40 years in commerce and finance, being a passionate supporter and promoting its continued development. Having lived in both Wales and England, having been a single parent and Chair of Governors of a school, I have broad experience of life. Please give me your vote.

Additional information

I live in North Wales after progressively moving away from London and in a varied working life have been involved in taxation, both in the Inland Revenue and an accountancy firm, then credit, and customer service in the wine trade, followed by credit, customer service, project management and process improvement in a leasing business within a bank. I was a Prince 2 Registered Practitioner. I have always looked for better ways of doing things, usually those little improvements which make our everyday lives easier and better. Outside of work, I have been involved with youth and community work; been a governor of two schools and Chair of one; have sat on a Church PCC and done different volunteering jobs for the National Trust. My interests include music, radio, maps and exploring North Wales. I now enjoy also being a grandfather and watching the family develop. I am a Freemason and proud of it. I would love to visit the islands of the South Pacific, time and money permitting!

I have been widowed and a single parent and know what it is like to feel alone and vulnerable but am now happily married for the second time. Over the years, my family and I have used a wide range of Co-op services, from milk and bread deliveries when I was young, through furniture, carpets and electrical goods, to funeral services and, of course, food.

I believe that the Co-op ethos of ‘principles more valuable than profits’ reflect my own. The co-operative movement is a vital counterbalance to the vast profit-orientated businesses which we encounter every day. Having worked for a bank, I have been ashamed and greatly saddened to see how promises made have been broken with local services withdrawn, leaving elderly and vulnerable people, also small businesses, in local communities stranded. The Co-op is perhaps the one movement which can protect communities by providing a variety of valuable services. If elected to the Council, I would do my best to make sure that the Co-op continued to support the interests of local communities whilst maintaining adequate financial strength