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 £38.2 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
- Practitioners Forum
  Our popular training event for co-op workers/professionals will now be delivered online.
- 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-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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Co-operatives UK Staff

Here is a list of the current staff members, and their role at Co-operatives UK.
To contact Co-operatives UK use the online form or call our switchboard on 0161 214 1750.

Advice

Linda Barlow

Co-operative Governance Advisor

Kate Fielding

HR Reward and Policy Manager

Tim Knowles

Head of HR Services

Emma Laycock

Head of Co-operative Advice

Gary Morrison

Senior Lawyer

Dane Pollard

Co-operative Governance Advisor

Communications and Marketing

Jennifer Banks

Communications and Marketing Officer

Wendy Carter

Head of Communications and Marketing

Dominic Mills

Communications and Marketing Officer

Leila O'Sullivan

Campaigns and Content Officer

James Wright

Policy Officer

Development Unit

James de le Vingne

Head of Development Unit

Gauthier Guerin

Project Manager

Isla Mcculloch

Programme Manager | Community Shares Standards

Petra Morris

Co-operative Development Manager

Ludovica Rogers

Programme Manager | New Co-op Ventures

Bethan Sparasci

Project Co-ordinator

Jess Thomas

Project Manager

Alice Wharton

CSU Programme Manager

Digital

Jermaine Hamilton

IT Analyst

Joe Harrison

Data Analyst

Paul Murphy

Head of Digital

Michelle Parkin-Kelly

Research Officer

Philippa Raby

Salesforce Administrator

Facilities

Sarah Aldridge

Receptionist

Kika Strong

Facilities Manager

Finance

Toseef Akram

Finance Officer

Michael Shepherd

Head of Finance

Lesley Taylor

Finance Support Officer

Membership and Events

John Atherton

Membership Manager

Leoni Merrifield

Events Coordinator

Irena Pistun

Membership Relations Coordinator

Richard Self

Agricultural Manager

Gareth Wright

Member Relations

Secretary General and Secretary

Zena King

Society Secretary

Meenaz Rashid

Business Support Officer

About

Promoting co-operatives

Developing co-operatives

Uniting co-operatives

Membership