Ray Henderson

Occupation: Part time Company Secretary

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

Skills and experience

I am currently a member of the Council and have been since its inception, with its committees challenging the Board on all of the issues which affect the running of the business. For members, two of the key concerns are price competitiveness and having local accessibility to a nearby shop or trading outlet. As a Council Member, addressing these issues is something that I will continue to promote.

Additional information

My active involvement with the Co-operative Movement began when I became a member in 1984, elected in 1992 to a Divisional committee and in 2005 to the North Eastern and Cumbrian Regional Board. In 2009 I was elected to the Group Board.

• Retired from the Telecoms and IT industry, I now have a part time position as Secretary of Co-operative Press Limited.

• I have been a committed and dedicated co-operator all my life and have constantly promoted the co-operative business model. My particular interests are financial management and corporate governance.

• Since 1999, I have been Company Secretary of the North East Music Teachers Co-operative Ltd, a successful public service mutual. I am also Company Secretary of the Film and Video Institute, a national membership organisation.

• I am currently a member of the Council and have been since its inception. During this time the Members Council has evolved into a more effective body with its committees challenging the main Board on all of the issues which effect the running of the business. The Council has also been very keen to promote membership participation at a local level, with a half yearly meeting in October in many new locations. The expansion of the Member Pioneer scheme is another area which the Council have promoted.

For the majority of members the two key issues are price competitiveness and having local accessibility to a nearby shop or trading outlet. The Council have consistently raised these two issues with the main Board. The recent announcement of £60M of price cuts on food is a step in the right direction. Whilst some areas of the North East Region are well served with food shops, there are other areas where this is not so. I have consistently raised this matter and although there have been new store openings in Whitley Bay, Hexham, Ashington, Wylam, South Shields and some other locations in the last two years, there are still areas with little or no Co-op presence. This is an issue which is currently being looked at.

• For all our staff, whose active support is essential for the success of our business, I welcome their increased level of participation which has been possible on the Members Council.

• I aspire to see The Co-operative strengthen its membership participation and the 5 + 1 reward package has been very successful in this direction.

• Today the Co-op is a unique business model, with strong co-operative values and principles, practising Fairtrade, ethical policies, diversity and promoting gender balance. In conclusion, I ask for your support in this election, allowing me to represent the North East Region, serving the interests of our members and staff on the Members’ Council.