Training: Co-op secretary II: Putting your learning into practice - September 2026

About the training

We understand that the role of a co‑op secretary is complex, so we’re running practical in‑person follow‑up training to anyone who has previously attended a co‑op secretary session.

This further training will equip you with a suite of practical plans covering every event in an annual governance cycle. It will also ensure you have the knowledge to deliver on all your responsibilities as the secretary of your organisation.

IMPORTANT: This training course does not cover the essential skills required to be a co‑op secretary. It is designed for those who have previously attended our training: Co‑op secretary I: The essentials and are looking to put their learning into practice. Visit our training page to find out when this course takes place. 

Format

• This training course will take place in‑person for six hours
• There will be a number of practical exercises where we’ll support attendees to create their governance yearly plan
• There will be an expectation to engage in discussion on governance themes, solve hypothetical (and real) governance problems and consult constitutional documents to evidence planning decision‑making
• Refreshments and lunch will be provided

What attendees will learn

• How to actually do the job of being a secretary
• The things to think about and when to think about them
• What falls within a secretary’s remit and how to ensure nothing falls through the cracks – by planning everything in advance

Who should attend

• Those who have completed the Co‑operatives UK training: Co-op secretary I: The essentials course at least three months previously
• Experienced secretaries that have not attended the above training can contact [email protected] to check if the course is suitable as a stand-alone

How much does it cost?

• £195 + VAT for members of Co‑operatives UK
• £280 + VAT for non-members. Co‑operatives UK members receive 30% off all paid events – plus LOTS more benefits. Learn about Co‑operatives UK membership
• £250 + VAT for individual supporters of Co-operatives UK. Learn more about becoming an Individual Supporter of Co-operatives UK

NOTE: We must receive payment in advance of the training taking place. We have the right to withhold joining instructions and/or the recording unless payment is received in advance of the training course taking place.

Special offer: Booking for Secretary I and Secretary II

Get a discount when booking onto both training courses at the same time: 

Book the Co-op Secretary I and II training package for the discounted price of:

• £240 + VAT (discounted from £270) for members of Co‑operatives UK
• £350 + VAT (discounted from £390) for non‑members
• £310 + VAT (discounted from £345) for Individual Supporters

To book your place on training package, email [email protected] to access the discount.

Maximum places per organisation

Our standard training courses can take a maximum of four people from any one organisation. You will be unable to book on more than four places. 

If you have five or more people interested in one course, we highly recommend our competitively priced bespoke in-house training course. This can be tailor the course content to suit the needs of your organisation’s size and model. Please get in touch with our Advice Team at [email protected] to get a quote and date availability from our trainers.

About the trainers

Zena King is a Senior Governance Advisor at Co‑operatives UK. She is a Chartered Company Secretary with more than 10 years’ experience of co‑operative society governance and an academic background in Law. Zena was Co‑operatives UK’s Society Secretary for five years.

Zena is accustomed to guiding a non‑executive board through discharging its responsibilities and effective decision making; being accountable for regulatory compliance and implementing corporate governance best practice. She has supported boards in developing strategic plans, policies and processes and has direct experience of leading internal audits and gap analysis exercises.

With experience of effective governance systems that facilitate member ownership and control, Zena can offer practical solutions for co‑operatives to bring together corporate governance best practice and the co‑operative values and principles. She is also an accredited data protection practitioner and, alongside supporting our members, leads our own work to ensure compliance with data protection legislation.

Zena has practical experience in the boardroom too – she sits on the board of Projekts MCR and is a former director of Co‑operative and Community Finance.

Dane Pollard works in our Advice Team and is the first point of contact for all governance and legal enquiries. Dane specialises in providing advice and guidance to new start co‑operatives and mutuals looking to incorporate and supports all types of co‑ops with their governance arrangements, processes and policies.

Dane also acts as account manager to members that have set up in the last two years and provides guidance to them on all aspects of their governance calendar. He has many years of experience dealing with customers in the retail sector as well as clients in the corporate world.

Cancellations policy

Any cancellations made within 28 days are subject to full payment with no refund. Name swaps and deferrals can be made free of charge until the day of the event. Please contact us via [email protected] to discuss.

Payment MUST be received before the training takes place. We reserve the right to withhold joining instructions until payment is received.