Co-op members vote to recruit and engage new members
20 May 2023
Today (Saturday 20 May), eligible members of the Co-operative Group voted with an overwhelming majority to grow its membership by engaging young people as a new generation of co-operators; and by celebrating the ‘Co-op Difference’ in its marketing and offering more opportunities to participate in the business.
The results of the ‘Creating a Fairer World for our Young People’ and the ‘People Power and our Co-op Difference’ motions were announced as part of today’s AGM, and come six weeks after Co-op published its annual report and announced a target of one million new members over five years.
The Annual General Meeting was led by Co-op Chair Allan Leighton, CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq, fellow Board members and Denise Scott-McDonald, President of the National Members’ Council. Other motions passed by members included Co-op working towards even greater animal welfare and further promotion of ethical products and practices, while supporting members looking to live more sustainably.
Commenting, Co-op Chair Allan Leighton said; “Our Co-op is owned by our members – they make it what it is. Having new members strengthens our Group, and brings with it more opportunities to co-operate within our own Co-op, but also with other co-operatives, as part of our movement.
“Our members have provided clear direction, for our Co-op to bring in a new generation of members, which supports our targets for growth.”
Today’s AGM took place at Manchester Central Convention Complex, while also offering members the opportunity to watch from home.
Voting results
Motion 1 - To receive the Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 31 December 2022. Carried (For: 98.44%, Against: 1.56%)
Motion 2 - To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the period ended 31 December 2022.
Carried (For: 89.52%, Against: 10.48%)
Motion 3 - To receive the Co-operate Report (sustainability report) for the period ended 31 December 2022. Carried (For: 98.47%, Against: 1.53%)
Motion 4 - To re-elect Shirine Khoury-Haq as an Executive Director. Carried (For: 93.10%, Against: 6.90%)
Motion 5 - To re-elect Stevie Spring as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Carried (For: 91.94%, Against: 8.06%)
Motion 6 - To re-elect Victor Adebowale as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Carried (For: 93.41%, Against: 6.59%)
Motion 7 - To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as our auditors and authorise the Risk and Audit Committee to fix their remuneration. Carried (For: 96.71%, Against: 3.29%)
Motion 8 - Joint Board and Council motion –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 2024. Carried (For: 81.02%, Against: 18.98%)
Motion 9 - National Member’s Council motion –to champion member value through Co-op’s ethical and sustainable credentials, promoting our own ethical practices, ensuring Co-op’s range is easily identified for quality and sustainability, and supporting members in pursuing a sustainable lifestyle.
Carried (For: 97.54%, Against: 2.46%)
Motion 10 - National Members’ Council motion, supported by Co-op Young Members’ Group – creating a fairer world for young people, to support, educate and empower young people in being part of our Co-op, and helping them best understand the potential of a co-operative business model. Carried (For: 98.09%, Against: 1.91%)
Motion 11 - National Members’ Council motion – to develop new and innovative approaches to communicating our member ownership model and our Co-op Difference, while developing and broadening opportunities to make membership meaningful and encourage members to be active participants. Carried (For: 98.05%, Against:1.95%)
Motion 12 - Individual members’ motion – for Co-op to reappraise its chicken welfare standards, where animals are raised for food. Carried (For: 96.36%, Against: 3.64%)
Results for the election of Member Nominated Director
- Margaret Casely-Hayford - Successful
- John Dalley - Unsuccessful
- Christine Tacon - Unsuccessful
- Ben Reid - Unsuccessful
About Co-op:
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives with interests across food, funerals, insurance and legal services. Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op operates over 2,500 food stores, over 800 funeral homes and provides products to over 5,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. Employing 57,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11 billion and is a recognised leader for its social goals and community-led programmes.
The Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.
For more information contact: Tom Cooledge, tom.cooledge@coop.co.uk