Our governance

A network for the UK's thousands of co-ops

• More than 700 co-ops are in direct membership of Co-operatives UK. We exist to serve the needs of our members, who all have a say in how we are run.
• Members can access specialist governance and HR advice; training and networking events. They benefit from government lobbying, and can access support from our externally funded co-op development programmes.
• We also represent and provide benefits to a further 4,000 organisations - including credit unions, housing co-ops, market traders and community shops - through our federal members.

Get involved

• Become a member of Co-operatives UK. 
• Vote for the Board of Directors. All members have a say in who is elected to the board.
• Stand for election to the Board of Directors. Board members are elected on a three-year rolling cycle.
• Attend our AGM. Our members have a chance to share views, vote on formal resolutions and hear reports from Co-operatives UK’s Board and Management Team. 
• Submit formal resolutions to be considered at our AGM.
• Participate in a member group and help shape areas of strategic priority including finance, governance and worker co-operatives.

Find out more about our governance

Our Rule Book sets out our governance practices – the way we run our organisation. It also demonstrates how we apply the co-op values and principles in how we make decisions.

Make up of the Board - see the breakdown of how board seats are allocated