Meredith Gardiner

Occupation: NHS Manager

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

Skills and experience

I am a Cardiff-based mum of two who wants to increase and promote the range of ethically-aware businesses to improve our local communities and the wider world. As a dual Masters graduate I bring practical experience of management within the health, local authority and voluntary sectors along with a passion to make things better for the future.

Additional information

I am a regular purchaser of fairly traded goods and actively seek to shop and organise my day-to-day life in ways that are ethically and environmentally sensitive. I'm keen to work in ways that reduce our impact upon the environment and this would be a key issue for me to push within the Co-operative should I be elected.

I also have an interest in the ageing population and the impact this has for the UK at both a social and economic level. I am keen to explore how we can make the most of the skills and expertise of an ageing generation whilst ensuring that our society is able to support our elders in the long term.

Finally I want to ensure that our younger generations are equipped with the knowledge and skills that will make them fit for the future. We need innovative, out of the box thinkers who are willing to create new ways of doing things for the good of the community and the environment. I believe that the Co-operative has much to encourage and also to learn from our young people in helping them to be that difference.