Co-op Congress 2021 line-up
Naturalist, broadcaster and environmental campaigner, Chris Packham heads up an impressive list of speakers appearing at today's Co‑op Congress event! There's still chance to book online.
Co‑op Congress brings together those working to build a fairer economy to share ideas, get inspiration and take action. Congress will be FREE to access online – a limited number of in person tickets available, but we've closed applications now. See booking page for details.
We're exploring how the co‑op sector can play a key role in rebuilding the economy through community and local economic impact, speaking with one voice on social campaigns, engaging the next generation and creating a new era for co‑operation. Join us online on 25 June.
What's happening on the day?
See full session descriptions below
Time |
Session title |
Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 12:30pm (2mins) | Welcome |
Don Morris, Co‑operatives UK |
| 12.32pm (10mins) | Driving regional economic recovery and renewal through worker co‑ops and employee ownership |
Dan Jarvis (by video), Mayor of Sheffield City Region Chaired by James de le Vingne, Co‑operatives UK |
| 12.42pm (20mins) |
How are co‑ops rebuilding...our communities and local economies |
Simon Borkin, Friends of Stretford Public Hall Jess Thomas (by video), Co‑operatives UK Chaired by James de le Vingne, Co‑operatives UK |
| 1.05pm (1 hour) | How are co‑ops rebuilding...through social change campaigning |
Chris Packham (by video), Environmental campaigner, naturalist & broadcaster Paul Gerrard, Co‑op Group Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-operative Gemma Lacey (by video), Southern Co‑operative Pete Westall, Midcounties Co‑operative Chaired by Wendy Carter, Co-operatives UK |
| 2.05pm (30mins) | Break | |
| 2.35pm (45mins) | How are co‑ops rebuilding...through a new era of co-operation and why is it critical we share ‘the UK’s best kept secret?’ |
Chaired by Melissa Johns, Actor and Co‑Director of TripleC Liz McIvor, The Co‑operative Heritage Trust Cilla Ross (by video), The Co‑operative College Rebecca Harvey, Co‑operative News Rose Marley, Co‑operatives UK Lord Victor Adebowale (by video), Chair of SEUK and Board Director, Co‑op Group |
| 3.20pm (20mins) | Break | |
| 3.40pm (55mins) | How are co‑ops rebuilding...by engaging the next generation |
Rose Marley, Co‑operatives UK Steve Murrells, CEO, Co‑op Group Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester Annabelle Cook (by video), Tommy Kirkwood and Shekinnah Wilberforce, Our Pass Maria Cearns, The Co-operative Bank |
| 4.35pm | End |
Session details
Speaker
- Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield City Region – by video
- Chaired by James de le Vingne, Co‑operatives UK
Description
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of Sheffield City region will give a brief overview of the role co‑ops are playing in local industrial strategies. He will update on Sheffield City region’s ambitious recovery and renewal plans to grow employee and worker ownership, which could become a blueprint for economic regions, local and combined authorities across the UK.
Speakers
- Simon Borkin, Stretford Public Hall
- Jess Thomas, Co‑operatives UK – by video
- Chaired by: James de le Vingne, Co‑operatives UK
Description
The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of communities and local economies. As we start to see a change into a ‘new normal’ now is the time to support our local communities and make a long term commitment to sustainable, thriving local economies that share power and wealth.
We’ll hear some great examples of co‑operation in action in communities and our hosts for the day, Stretford Public Hall, which is owned and has been restored by the community.
Speakers
- Chris Packham, Environmental campaigner, naturalist and broadcaster – by video
- Paul Gerrard, Co‑op Group
- Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-operative
- Gemma Lacey, Southern Co‑operative – by video
- Pete Westall, Midcounties Co‑operative
- Chaired by: Wendy Carter, Co‑operatives UK
Description
The co‑op movement has been campaigning on social issues for many years – from reducing plastics to modern slavery, food security and diversity in leadership. But how can our campaigning activity be more co-ordinated (and co‑operative!), so we can have more impact by speaking with one voice?
Join environmental campaigner, naturalist and broadcaster, Chris Packham (by video) who will share his experiences of leading high profile campaigns. Followed by the co‑operative campaigning and public affairs leads from leading retail societies will outline their priorities for social action and explore common themes for sector wide campaigning – with opportunities for you to input ideas and share how your co‑op is taking action on today’s big issues.
Speakers
- Liz McIvor, Co‑operative Heritage Trust
- Cilla Ross, Co‑operative College – by video
- Rebecca Harvey, Co‑operative News
- Rose Marley, Co‑operatives UK
- Lord Victor Adebowale, Board Director, Co‑op Group and Chair, Social Enterprise UK – by video
- Chaired by: Melissa Johns, Actor and Co‑Director of TripleC
Description
Actor and Co‑Director of TripleC, Melissa Johns chairs a panel made up of the four female leaders of the Co‑op College, Co‑op Heritage Trust, Co‑op News and Co‑operatives UK and asks why NOW is the time to re‑invigorate the co‑op movement. We’ll be exploring why there are more women leaders in the social enterprise sector and some of the fascinating history and achievements of the co‑op movement, which is just as relevant today.
We’ll learn what these four women and their organisations have in store for the future of the movement at a time when, not least due to the pandemic, people are looking for fair and equitable ways to do business and live their lives. And they’ll be joined by Lord Victor Adebowale (by video) who shares his thoughts on why owning where you work, consume and live creates a fair balance and can level the inequalities in society.
Speakers
- Steve Murrells, CEO, Co‑op Group
- Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
- Annabelle Cook (by video), Tommy Kirkwood and Shekinnah Wilberforce, Our Pass
- Maria Cearns, The Co-operative Bank
- Chaired by: Rose Marley, Co‑operatives UK
Description
It’s essential that we engage with the next generation to ensure co‑operative values live on. Join us for this engaging presentation and panel discussion as we hear from leaders on the investments being made into young people and then hear from young people on how the co‑operative movement can engage them better.
Book your place
Congress is a hybrid event. Everyone who works in or is a member of a co-op will be able to join the event. People can book a free ticket online or apply for an in person ticket.
Due to Covid restrictions, in person tickets are very limited:
- We cannot guarantee everyone who applies for an in person ticket will be allocated one – but you can join online.
- Please do not book travel until we have confirmed you have been allocated an in person ticket, which is likely to be a few days before the event.
Book your FREE places
Exciting line-up of speakers announced for Co‑op Congress
Co-op Congress 2021 – book your place
About Co-op Congress
