CO-OP MEMBER-OWNERS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AS PART OF TODAY’S AGM 2025

17 May 2025

CO-OP MEMBER-OWNERS MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AS PART OF TODAY’S AGM

Voting results for motions and Member Nominated Director election announced at today’s Annual General Meeting

Today, as part of its Annual General Meeting (AGM), member-owners of the Co-operative Group (‘Co-op’) joined directors and leaders to understand more about their business, including its performance and its plans for the future. Attending at Co-op Live or joining online, including from six local events taking place across the country, member-owners had an opportunity to ask questions of the Board and leaders. Eligible member-owners also had the opportunity to help shape Co-op’s future and cast their vote on 13 motions, including ones submitted by the National Members’ Council and from individual members.

For the second year running, the AGM included an interactive members’ discussion, for member-owners to share their views and discuss the topics they most care about and want Co-op to act on.

The results of voting on all 13 motions and the Member Nominated Director (MND) elections were announced as part of proceedings. Elections were held for two MNDs this year – Sarah McCarthy-Fry was successfully re-elected as an MND, and Mitch Oliver was appointed to the Board as a new MND.

The AGM was led by Co-op Chair Debbie White with presentations from CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq; CFO Rachel Izzard and Denise Scott-McDonald, President of the National Members’ Council.

On today’s meeting, Debbie White said; “In 2024, the number of active member-owners at our Co-op grew to 6.2 million, with a significant increase in member-owners engaging with our Co-op and shaping what we do. Today’s we’re at 6.5 million.

“The passion and commitment we have seen from our member-owners today is testament to our work in putting our member-owners right at the heart of the business they own. It is clear that democracy is alive and thriving within our Co-op.”

Voting results:

1 To receive the Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 4 January 2025.

Carried For: 98.45% Against: 1.55%

2 To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the period ended 4 January 2025.

Carried For: 87.25% Against: 12.75%

3 To approve our Executive Pay Policy. Carried For: 81.76% Against: 18.24%

4 To receive our Social Value and Sustainability Report for the period ended 4 January 2025.

Carried For: 97.49% Against: 2.51%

5 To elect Lord Simon Woolley as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

Carried For: 90.17% Against: 9.83%

6 To elect Wais Shaifta as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

Carried For: 87.44% Against: 12.56%

7 To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as our auditors and authorise the Risk and Audit Committee to fix their remuneration.

Carried For: 95.20% Against: 4.80%

8 To seek approval to incur political expenditure, including donations and/or subscriptions to political parties, not exceeding £750,000 in total for the year commencing 1 January 2026.

Carried For: 69.07% Against: 30.93%

9
National Members’ Council motion – Hate divides communities, co-operation builds them.

Carried For: 95.88% Against: 4.12%

10 National Members’ Council motion – Empowering member-owners to start, choose, understand and grow co-operatives.

Carried For: 98.43% Against: 1.57%

11 National Members’ Council motion – Supporting member-owners with the cost of living and responsible consumption.

Carried For: 97.92% Against: 2.08%

12 Individual Members’ motion – Animal welfare.

Carried For: 90.94% Against: 9.06%

13 Individual Members’ motion – Trading with Israel.

Carried For: 72.80% Against: 27.20%

Results for the election of Member Nominated Director

Ian Craig Unsuccessful
Mitch Oliver Successful
Sarah McCarthy-Fry Successful

ENDS About Co-op: Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, operating across food retail, funerals, insurance, and legal services.

Owned by over 6 million active member-owners, Co-op exists to meet their needs and champion the causes they care about.

With more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes and a wholesale business supplying around 6,000 additional outlets, Co-op employs 54,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of over £11 billion. It is a recognised leader in ethical business and community-led programmes, creating long-term value for members and communities across the UK.