Lynda McDonald

Occupation: Retired

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

Skills and experience

The Co-op reflects the Values and Principles I was reared with. My career was devoted to public service, in Local Government and NHS; throughout my career I worked voluntarily with disadvantaged groups. Environmental concerns encouraged me to complete a Post Grad Diploma in Environmental Management and establish a Charitable Trust committed to promoting solutions to Climate Change. I’m guided by my belief that all institutions should show leadership in investment decisions that have social/environmental impacts.

Additional information

The Co-op reflects the values and principles I was reared with. For this reason, I chose, many years ago, to conduct all my financial business via the Group i.e. current and savings accounts, mortgage account, insurance cover and credit card. I’m applying to be on the Members’ Council because I believe that all institutions should show leadership in investment decisions that have social and/or environmental impacts – I’m motivated by a personal desire to tread lightly on the planet and to improve organisational and business practices, if I can, by offering suggestions and support on good practice. As a long-standing member of the Co-op I support the aims of the Group and am familiar with the initiatives on ‘Tackling Modern Slavery’ and ‘Combating Loneliness’.

My own professional career was devoted to public service, in local government and NHS; throughout my career I also worked, on a voluntary basis, to improve the status of disadvantaged groups. In later years I worked in mental health, so am well aware of the impact of loneliness on an individual’s health and wellbeing. I am also aware of the insidious nature of power imbalances and inequity in all aspects of life. Environmental concerns encouraged me to complete a Post Grad Diploma in Environmental Management. I am currently Executive Secretary of the Global Commons Trust, a Charitable Trust promoting a global policy framework solution to Climate Change based on the principal of ‘equity for survival’. I have lobbied at the UN for the acceptance of this framework.

If elected to the Members’ Council I would utilise my skills and knowledge to uphold the Groups’ Values and Principles. I believe that I would bring thoughtful and appropriate challenge and discussion to Council meetings; I am patient and pragmatic. As Assistant Director in the NHS I was responsible for delivery of high-level programmes of service improvement and efficiency savings of up to £25million - I therefore have experience in reporting to the Executive and Board at meetings, and have demonstrated integrity at different times in my career in holding Executive and Board members to account for their decision-making. I was described, by a Board member, as ‘a decisive leader who is reliable, highly competent, flexible, energetic, irreplaceable and loyal’. I was highly regarded as a problem-solver and trouble-shooter who built strong effective teams that commanded respect within the organisation. I am a strong team worker, with good interpersonal skills, able to communicate with people at all levels.

I would be privileged to serve on the Council and represent members’ wishes to secure the Groups robust and principled development in the years ahead.