Practitioners directory
This directory lists co-op practitioners offering a range of expert services for new-start co-ops, existing co-ops and businesses looking to convert to co-ops. Use the 'programmes' filter to find practitioners for The Hive and Community Shares programmes.
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Michael Beaven
Co-op name
Our Community Enterprise CIC
Michael has over 25 years of experience in financial management and fundraising within the voluntary and public sectors, including company formation, business planning, building purchase, income…
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Jo Bird
Jo Bird has been a successful and practical co‑operator since 1993 when she co‑founded a housing co‑operative in Manchester.
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Dave Boyle
Co-op name
The Community Shares Company
Dave has 18 years' experience of working with community and social businesses, helping to raise over £9m in community shares in the last 5 years.
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Nathan Brown
Co-op name
Co-op Culture
Nathan has been delivering support and training to co‑operatives, community enterprises and trading charities since 1998.
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Jim Brown
Co-op name
Freelance
I am the strategic adviser to the Community Shares Unit, now partly retired, but still working in a freelance capacity a couple of days a month.
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Anne Chapman
Co-op name
Morecambe Bay Community Renewables
Anne co-founded Morecambe Bay Community Renewables in 2011 and was the main author of their three successful share offer documents.
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Andrew Shadrake – ClimatePositive
Co-op name
Climate Positive
Andrew has 15 years’ experience assisting community businesses in renewable energy, urban regeneration, food, arts, health and climate change. A former solicitor, he specialises in legal structures…
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John Dawson
Co-op name
Power to Change
John is Head of Social Investment Programmes at Power to Change where he works on community shares, pubs, housing and energy projects led by community businesses.
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Shamsher Dharsani
Co-op name
Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations
Shamsher has worked with development agencies and has management experience at senior level in economic development, education and social services.
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Ben Dodd
Co-op name
Green Fox Community Energy Co-operatives
Ben has worked in the renewable energy industry for 20 years and in 2012 co‑founded the Green Fox Community Energy Co‑operative.
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Paul Ebied
Co-op name
Sporting Assets
Paul works with Sporting Assets, a social enterprise that helps develop sustainable sports organisations, by helping them take ownership of facilities, develop new facilities, secure investment and…
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Paul Fredericks
Co-op name
Freelance
Paul is an experienced practitioner providing support to social and community enterprises.
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Dave Hollings
Co-op name
Co-operatives and Mutual Solutions (CMS)
Dave has advised over 50 completed community share issues over the last 18 years raising £11 million of shares often topped up with other forms of finance.
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John Ingleby
Renewable energy activist, retired Chartered IT Practitioner and teacher.
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Mark Johnson
Co-op name
Elderflower Legal & Secretarial Services
Mark Johnson is a commercial solicitor and ICSA-qualified Company Secretary with over 21 years’ experience of developing successful new business models, social and community enterprises.
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Joshua Lawson
Co-op name
Leeds Community Homes
Josh has numerous years experience in the co‑operative sector – in community led housing and worker co‑ops, as well as establishing and living in housing co‑operatives.