Nicola Huckerby

OccupationL: Director

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

Skills and experience

It would be an honour for me to represent fellow Co-op Group members on the Council ensuring that your voices are heard. I am unashamedly proud of my co-operative credentials and passionate about the co-operative economy. My passion for the co-operative sector is such that I run my own business doing what I love full-time - working with co-operatives, helping them promote their co-operative identity so that they stand apart from shareholder and profit-focussed businesses.

Additional information

My co-operative journey began as Membership and Co-operative Officer for the Co-operative Group in South Devon; educating Members in the co-operative values and principles and encouraging active engagement. Early in 2011 I won a secondment to the International Co-operative Alliance, in Geneva, co-ordinating global activities for the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012. That year culminated with Co-operatives United, where 12000 co-operators from 82 countries descending on Manchester to celebrate the co-operative business model.

Currently I manage the membership, communications and events for the Co-operative Councils' Innovation Network (CCIN) which comprises 22 Councils from across the UK, promoting the Co-operative Values and Principles at a local level. The CCIN is well-positioned within the UK co-operative economy, where amongst others I work with Co-operatives UK and the Co-operative College.

As one of the largest 300 co-operatives in the world, I am keen to work with members to ensure that the Co-operative Group maintains its ethical values and stays true to the co-operative ideals that the founding Rochdale Pioneers developed in 1844. My co-operative experience at an international level has enabled me to gather insights into how the movement works at a global level and the esteemed position that the Group has amongst co-operators with its unique history and roots.

The Group has experienced challenges over the last decade but is now beginning to grow again and re-affirm its unique position in our local communities. We were fortunate to have new Co-operative retail outlet open in our Devon Town which, having taken over a derelict restaurant, has quickly become the main retailer on the high street

My other co-operative credentials include me being an active member of the Co-operative Party, sitting on the South West Peninsula Society Party Council. I'm also a Director of Co-operatives South West and Revolver Co-operative Coffee as well as being a member of several consumer co-operatives. I am also a Director of a new co-operative in the town where I live. Bovey Futures works on behalf of local people to make the Parish a better place to live. It is this experience at a local, national and international level that I would bring to the Members' Council.

Please vote for me.