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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Advice blogs and updates

Our Advice Team has supported co‑operatives with their governance, HR, finance and membership for more than 20 years. We'll be sharing blogs and key updates here.

If you'd like us to focus on a specific issue, contact us.

Authentic leadership

A blog by Jenny Holsgrove | 1 month ago

We all know that one leader that we aspire to. What was it that made them so good? And how can we emulate their success? Authenticity in leadership...

The Sociocracy approach to decision-making

A blog by Linda Barlow | 1 month ago

As our working life becomes busier, it can be frustrated by the number of meetings we are invited to, many of which we cannot miss. However, how many...

Membership and the Register of Members

A blog by Anthony Collins Solicitors | 1 month ago

An accurate Register of Members protects a society or a company from divisive, costly, and complex disputes. Conscientiously maintaining the register...

Tips for tackling your co-op's 'to do' list

A blog by Linda Barlow | 1 month ago

If your co-op is still working through its New Year ‘to do’ list, Co-operatives UK has a raft of useful governance resources that can help. Here are...

Demystifying loans for co-operatives

A blog by Anthony Collins Solicitors | 1 month ago

Co-operatives can access a range of capital to help fund their business. In this article, we outline what to bear in mind when considering accessing...

Registering Community Interest Companies move online

A blog by Linda Barlow | 5 months ago

Since their inception in the early 2000’s, community interest companies (CICs) have been seen as the corporate form for organisations to adopt that...

Updated: Code of Governance

A blog by Emma Laycock | 5 months ago

Co-operatives UK has reviewed and revised its Code of Governance and will launch the new Code at the Practitioners Forum on 7 November in Manchester...

Taking a share – funding in co‑ops and community benefit societies

A blog by Anthony Collins Solicitors | 5 months ago

When it comes to co-ops and community benefit societies, there has been a revival of interest in recent years in raising capital from shares. It can...

State aid – a practical guide

A blog by Anthony Collins Solicitors | 5 months ago

Leveraging public funding into co-operative based projects can create exciting opportunities. Co-operatives are often particularly well suited to...

Board evaluations for co-operatives

A blog by Anthony Collins Solicitors | 9 months ago

With the AGM season in full swing, many co-operatives are looking towards electing their Boards. Those co-operatives with an elected board will...

Pages

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

About

Promoting co-operatives

Developing co-operatives

Uniting co-operatives

Membership

Advice products and services

Take your co-op to the next level

Advice blogs and updates

Our Advice Team has supported co‑operatives with their governance, HR, finance and membership for more than 20 years. We'll be sharing blogs and key updates here.

Authentic leadership

The Sociocracy approach to decision-making

Membership and the Register of Members

Tips for tackling your co-op's 'to do' list

Demystifying loans for co-operatives

Registering Community Interest Companies move online

Updated: Code of Governance

Taking a share – funding in co‑ops and community benefit societies

State aid – a practical guide

Board evaluations for co-operatives

Pages

Webinar: HR online Surgery – Covid19

Training: Conducting good investigations – Liverpool

Co-op Connections Online – Bristol

About

Promoting co-operatives

Developing co-operatives

Uniting co-operatives

Membership

You are here

Advice products and services

Take your co-op to the next level

Advice blogs and updates

Our Advice Team has supported co‑operatives with their governance, HR, finance and membership for more than 20 years. We'll be sharing blogs and key updates here.

Authentic leadership

The Sociocracy approach to decision-making

Membership and the Register of Members

Tips for tackling your co-op's 'to do' list

Demystifying loans for co-operatives

Registering Community Interest Companies move online

Updated: Code of Governance

Taking a share – funding in co‑ops and community benefit societies

State aid – a practical guide

Board evaluations for co-operatives

Pages

Webinar: HR online Surgery – Covid19

Training: Conducting good investigations – Liverpool

Co-op Connections Online – Bristol