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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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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Chris Buckham
Co-op name
Illuminity Ltd
Chris works as an advisor for the Plunkett Foundation and as a Peer Broker for Power to Change, advising community businesses and helping them develop strategies that support their long-term…
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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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Alan Collard
Co-op name
Ironmonger Community Advisors
Alan has provided advisory services to community groups and enterprises for the past 8 years on behalf of Plunkett Foundation.
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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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Co-operative Futures
Co-operative Futures is a business development consultancy specialising in co-operative, mutual and community led businesses.
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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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Kathy Hopkin
Co-op name
Co-operative Futures
Kathy is an experienced co-operative and community business practitioner, with particular experience in the sustainability and community energy sectors.