About
About

The network for Britain’s thousands of co-operative businesses, Co-operatives UK works to promote, develop and unite member-owned business worth £36 billion to the British economy.

Overview
- About Co-operatives UK
  Learn more about our governance and strategy, read annual reports, and disover the latest career opportunities
- What is a co-operative?
  Co-operatives are driven by values and not just profit. Discover more about what makes co-ops so special
- Case studies
  Read a selection of case studies to discover why the co-op model works for all sorts of businesses and puts members in control
- The co-operative economy
  Discover the total turnover of the UK's co-operative sector and latest trends
- Contact Us
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Campaigns
& Policy
Promoting co-operatives

We bring co-operatives together to campaign on vital issues, raise awareness of co-operative businesses and help create a level playing field for the start-up and growth of co-operatives.

Overview
- Co-operatives Fortnight
  Once a year co-ops of all shapes and sizes come together to show the power of co-operation
- Influencing Policy
  Details on our role in campaigning for co-operative policy and getting members involved
- More Than a Shop podcast
  More Than a Shop welcomes guests with something new and radical to say about the big issues of our day and doing business the right way.
- Brexit
  Our position and plans on how co-operatives can thrive in a post-Brexit Britain
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Advice &
Support
Developing co-operatives

As the UK’s network for co-operatives, we help new-starts get off the ground, provide specialist advice for growing businesses and lead major programmes to develop the UK co-operative sector.

Overview
- Coronavirus: Advice for co‑ops
  In response to a growing number of enquiries we have produced practical guidance for co‑ops. Updates are being added weekly.
- Advice and support for your co-op
  Expert advice on everything from governance to HR. Discover how we can help develop your co-op
- Register your co-op
  Use our expert advice and guidance to register your co-op society or company
- Support and funding for co‑ops
  Co-operatives UK also manages and delivers a number of other co‑operative support and funding programmes.
- The Hive
  Get a bespoke package of direct support, training and mentoring for new start-up or existing co-op via The Hive, in partnership with The Co-operative Bank
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Events &
Training
Uniting co-operatives

As the network for the UK’s co-operative businesses, we organise flagship national events and facilitate networks and workshops to enable co-operatives to connect, learn and do business with one another.

Overview
- Co-op events calendar
  All upcoming conferences, training events and networking opportunities from Co-operatives UK and across the sector.
- Training for co-ops
  Strengthen in key areas from governance and finance to HR and membership.
- Co-operative Retail Conference
  The Co-operative Retail Conference, Friday 28 February to Sunday 1 March 2020, will attract the leaders, managers and directors of the UK's consumer owned retail co-operatives.
- Co-op Connections events
  Co-op Connections are FREE events and online webinars that bring together people from co‑ops of all types to share experience and learning through lively networking events.
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Membership
Membership

As the network for Britain’s thousands of co-operative businesses, we provide our members with access to advice, training, networking and events.

Overview
- Coronavirus: Advice for co‑ops
  In response to a growing number of enquiries we have produced practical guidance for co‑ops. Updates are being added weekly.
- Benefits of membership
  Discover what membership can do for you and your co-op
- Membership packages
  Small or large, retail or agriculture, we've got a package to suit the full spectrum of co-ops
- Contact Package
  Your co-op can access the best support from some of the UK’s leading advisers on governance, finance, HR and membership.
- HR package
  High quality HR advice and support plus significant procurement savings are just some of the benefits
- Agricultural package
  Find out about our bespoke membership offer for farmer-controlled businesses
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Search

Search for a local co-op Browse the newsroom Downloadable resources
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Guide: Our governance

Worker Co-op Council

The Worker Co-operative Council shapes strategic priorities for worker co-operative and employee owned members of Co-operatives UK, and acts as a sounding board on important issues.

The council meets four times a year and is elected by and from worker co-op members. The Council in turn nominates two representatives to the main Board of Co-operatives UK.

Worker Co-operative Council members

Cath Muller - Footprint workers co-ops (elected to Board of Directors)
Ross Hodgson – Suma (elected to Board of Directors)
Mike Rudge - Delta-T Devices
Debbie Clarke – Unicorn Grocery
Sion Whellens – Calverts
Aaron Hirtenstein - Agile Collective
Tatiana Baskakova - Ceramics Art Studio
Kayleigh Walsh - Outlandish Co-operative (co-opted)
Ieva Padagaite - Blake House Filmmakers Co-operative (co-opted)

Get involved

Any worker co-op member can stand for election to the Council. If you are interested get in touch.

We have a vibrant groups on Facebook and Loomio for worker co-op news and discussion. Not a member of Co-operatives UK? Join us and help promote co-ops and decent work.

Co-operatives UK Limited,
Holyoake House,
Hanover Street,
Manchester,
M60 0AS.

Registered in England as a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.
Reg No. 2783R
Vat Reg. 147 8611 47