Kevin Mowatt
Chief Commercial Officer at Channel Islands Co-op
I am a proud representative of the Channel Islands Co-op as an ISM council member. My career spans 21 years, including eight years at Co-op UK, where I led transformative workstreams on Format, Range, and Space as a programme lead. Prior to that, I served as a store manager, having started in store from school at 16, which gave me invaluable insights into the operational aspects of our society. Currently, I hold the position of Chief Commercial Officer for our society, based in Jersey.
I am deeply passionate about co-operative values, particularly those related to ethical and local sourcing, food security, and sustainability. The importance of supporting local and regional producers cannot be overstated, as they are crucial to the vitality of our local communities and economies. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical need for robust food security sourcing, highlighting the essential role that co-operatives play in this area.
Despite its profound impact, the co-operative way of doing business often remains underappreciated, misunderstood, and unknown to many people. There is significant potential for the movement to expand our societies, thereby amplifying our voice and the benefits it brings to the communities we serve. By embracing and promoting co-operative principles, we can foster greater resilience, sustainability, and fairness in our local communities.