CO-OP OFFERS MEMBERS CHANCE TO JOIN ITS BOARD

08 January 2025

CO-OP OFFERS MEMBERS CHANCE TO JOIN ITS BOARD

Co-op is offering member-owners with board and executive level experience a unique opportunity to stand for election to its Group Board. This year, there are two vacancies for Member Nominated Directors (MND) to join Co-op’s Board and nominations are open now.

Electing MNDs is one of the many ways Co-op ensures that member-owners are at the heart of its business, and the role is an essential part of Co-op’s difference. Co-op, which was founded in 1844, is owned by over six million member-owners, not a small group of shareholders, and exists to create and return economic, social and ownership value to them and their communities.

It is this, alongside the value that co-operatives bring to society, that makes the business model unique and unlike any other.

Member Nominated Directors work with its Group Board to oversee its business interests in Food, Funeralcare, Legal Services and Insurance and are directly elected by Co-op Members ahead of each Annual General Meeting (AGM) to make decisions about how their Co-op is run with their views in mind.

2025 will see another exciting year of growth for Co-op, as it continues to increase its active member base whilst celebrating its 180th year in existence, and the United Nations’ second International Year of Co-ops. This is an opportunity for Co-op Members to join an experienced, high calibre board that is committed to ensuring that one of the world’s largest consumer co-ops continues to deliver its organisational vision ‘Co-operating to create more value for member-owners every day’.

Co-op is looking for members who can demonstrate a genuine commitment to Co-operative Values and Principles and an understanding of co-operative business models, with proven strategic capability, strong commercial acumen and communication skills.

Sam Webster, Vice-President of the Co-op National Members’ Council and Chair of the Joint MND Selection and Approvals Committee, said:

“Having our members on our Board is part of our Co-op difference – it sets us apart from investor-owned businesses.

“Our Co-op is committed to ensuring we reflect our membership and the communities we serve and that includes our Board. We encourage applicants from all walks of life and backgrounds who share our values and principles, and our dedication to realising equality and equity. We champion inclusion and diversity at all levels of the organisation, and that includes at Board level.

Successful candidates will be joining at an exciting time for our Co-op. Co-op Members will pick their leaders and have the final say on who is appointed as an MND by voting from a shortlist of candidates later this year.”

Candidates can find information on how to apply on the Co-op’s website www.co-operative.coop/mndelection and have until midday on Friday 31st January to apply.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

To be considered eligible, candidates must have been a Co-op Member-Owner for three years or more, need to have spent £500 with Co-op during 2024, and have relevant experience at board or executive level. A waiver may be applied in exceptional circumstances.

About Co-op

Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, with interests across food retail, funerals, insurance, and legal services. Co-op is owned by and run for its 5.5 million members. With over 2,300 food stores and more than 800 funeral homes, Co-op also supplies products to 6,000 other outlets, including those run by independent co-operatives, through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited.

Employing 55,000 people, Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11 billion and is a recognised leader in social goals and community-led programmes. Co-op exists to meet members’ needs and champion the causes they believe in.