Co-op Offers Members Chance To Join The Board

28 November 2022

Co-op is offering members with proven experience at board-level a unique opportunity to stand for election to its main Group Board.

This year, there is one vacancy for a Member Nominated Director (MND) to join the Co-op’s Board of Directors, and nominations can now be submitted.

Giving members a voice in the boardroom, the role combines overseeing commercial and financial performance with ensuring that Co-op’s unique values and principles – in pursuit of its ‘Co-operating for a Fairer World’ vision - are front and centre of everything it does.

It’s an opportunity for members to join an experienced and high calibre board that is committed to ensuring that one of the world’s largest consumer co-ops continues to deliver on its exciting plans for the future.

To represent our members, it’s important that MNDs can demonstrate:

  • an accomplished track record at an equivalent level in a substantial organisation.

  • an awareness of the strategic and operational challenges of a business of the size and complexity of Co-op.

  • an understanding of the needs of a business of the scale and complexity of Co-op.

  • integrity, independence and empathy with co-operative values and principles, which can be evidenced in actions and behaviours.

  • the ability to contribute, at board level, on a range of commercial and financial issues with experience of risk management and strategic engagement.*

Janson Woodall, from Co-op Members’ Council, who chairs the Joint MND Selection & Approvals Committee, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Co-op members to have their voice heard in the boardroom. Having our members on our Board is part of our Co-op difference – it sets us apart from other investor-owned businesses. Our MNDs attend Council meetings and work with us to represent the needs and views of members, colleagues and communities around the UK at the highest level of our Co-op.

“At Co-op, we’re committed to racial equality and inclusion. We’re proud of how diverse our Board is, but we know we need to do more to reflect the communities we serve, across all of our businesses. We’re looking for applicants who are keen to play a part in addressing any inequalities within our Co-op and the wider world too.”

Candidates can find information on how to apply on the Co-op’s website www.co-operative.coop/mndelection and have until Tuesday 20 December 2022 to put themselves forward.

Ends

**NB: to be considered eligible, candidates need to have earned 1,000 trading points with Co-op in 2022, been a member for three years and have an accomplished track record at board level. The points and length of membership requirement could be waived in exceptional circumstances.

Press contacts: Tom Cooledge, tom.cooledge@coop.co.uk*

Notes to editors:

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 almost 60,000 people, the Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11billion 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.