The Co‑operative Governance Expert Reference Panel is recruiting a new member

The Panel is seeking applications from people with recent expert experience in leadership and innovation in governance – with a specific focus on co-operative development and the governance requirements of new start co-operatives and those in their first few years of trading, as well as small to medium sized existing co-operatives looking to grow.

Former Panel member, Abbie Kempson, said: “Being a member of the Co-operative Governance Expert Reference Panel over the past two years has provided an invaluable opportunity to share, and gain understanding of, co-operative governance across the co-op sector.

"Coming from a worker co-op background, a Barefoot graduate, and working predominantly with worker co-ops through People Support Co-op, I have enjoyed hearing people's experiences from other parts of the Movement and sharing practice from worker co-ops and other types of co-operatives that the rest of the Movement can learn from.

"I have also enjoyed having the opportunity to contribute to materials produced by the Panel, including its guide to sociocracy."

Existing Panel member, Co-operatives UK's Emma Laycock said: "We are keen that membership of the Panel continues to include an individual with co-operative development expertise, not only because good governance in all forms of co-operatives and democratically owned organisations is vital, but also to provide a breadth of knowledge within the composition of the Panel.

"The governance needs of smaller and developing co-operatives can be quite different to those that are more mature, and the Panel needs to ensure that it considers all types and sizes of co-operatives when developing its guidance and best practice."

About the Co‑operative Governance Expert Reference Panel

The Panel, which meets quarterly, enables Co‑operatives UK members to shape areas of strategic priority for the UK co‑operative movement in the field of governance. The Panel is the custodian of the governance agenda for co-operatives in the UK, and works to set governance standards for co‑operatives, encouraging innovation, active challenge and debate.

Read more about the Co‑operative Governance Expert Reference Panel's work.

Interested in applying to join the panel?

If you would like to under learn more about the Panel and what sort of candidate we’re looking for, please contact [email protected]. The deadline for applications is midnight, Friday 4 August.