Tom Mewies

Occupation: Civil Servant

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

Skills and experience

I have been an active co-operator for many years and was previously a member of the Kennet and Avon Area Committee. It would be a privilege to serve members again on the National Members’ Council. If elected I would ensure that local members voices are heard on the NMC, our Values and Principles are upheld and implemented, our democracy is protected, and that that we remain a business rooted in local communities.

Additional information

Having joined the Co-op whilst still a student, I became more involved when I moved to Bristol nine years ago. In 2011 I was elected to the Kennet and Avon Area Committee, where I was an advocate for local members and my local stores. I was also Group stalls at events such as Bristol Pride.

More recently, I have been involved in a Member Pioneer pilot group, which successfully organised and ran events in the North of Bristol, building links with local Churches and charities. I am a strong believer in local member involvement having seen the success of this group and the lasting links it has built between our local stores and the wider community. Our Values and Principles are key to the co-operative difference and the continued success of our business. We must ensure that these Values and Principles are visible in everything we do and that we continue to act as leaders in the retail industry on matters like Fairtrade produce, food waste and the environment. One way we could lead in this area is to drastically cut the amount of plastic used to package our products.

I live in Filton and I am an IT Manager in the Civil Service. My career history includes previous jobs in supermarket retail and accountancy. I am a member of the National Federation of Progressive Co-operators and I am Treasurer of Bristol Co-operative Party. I am a keen Co-operator and an active member of several other Co-operatives including two Credit Unions, a Green Energy Producer, the Phone Co-op and a Fairtrade Co-op.