Watch again: Co-op Congress 2026

• Rose Marley (CEO, Co-operatives UK)
• Andrea Melville (Chief Executive Officer, The Co‑operative Bank)
• Joanne Roney (Managing Director, Birmingham City Council)
• Tony Walsh (poet, performer and writer)

At moments of real significance – when communities are threatened, institutions fail, or change feels impossible – people coming together still has the power to shift the course of events. As a country, we have lost much of our collective bargaining power and many of the spaces where ordinary people once shaped decisions together. But when people find their voice collectively, it still matters. We saw it with the Post Office scandal: when people spoke together, government could no longer ignore them.

This session explores the power of collective action in practice – from saving cultural institutions to reclaiming community assets and creating new forms of ownership through co-operation.

• Tony Walsh (poet, performer and writer)
• Julie Hesmondhalgh (actor and writer)
• Martina Murphy (Chief Executive, Oldham Coliseum Theatre)
• Lisa Trickett (Kings Heath Community Centre)

Hosted by Rose Marley, Co-operatives UK

Co‑operatives are built on trust, accountability and shared values, but those principles can come under pressure. This session creates space for an honest conversation about difficult moments in the movement’s recent history, and what is demanded now. What happens when governance fails, accountability is tested or co‑operative values face real strain? And how can we be better? The panel will explore what must change, what must endure and how co‑operatives can become more resilient, transparent and trusted. It is a timely discussion about leadership, learning and renewal.

• Maria Cearns (Chief Operating Officer, The Co-operative Bank)
• Amanda Newton (CEO, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing)
• Russell Gill (Head of Member & Co-operative Engagement, Co‑op Group)

Hosted by Rebecca Harvey (Executive Editor, Co-op News)

The West Midlands Ownership Hub (2023-2025) worked with freelancers, founders, communities, advisers and policymakers to unlock the potential of co‑operatives and employee ownership across creative and cultural sectors. The session will share learning from the programme, including how worker ownership can offer greater stability, control and long‑term impact. Delegates will hear from the Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, as well as creative examples – bringing this work to life. The discussion will also consider what other places can learn from the model, and how similar approaches could support sector growth across the UK.

• Richard Parker (Mayor, West Midlands Combined Authority)
• Riley Tang (Creative Director & Co‑founder, Five Senses)
• Sebas Hau (Co‑Director & Producer, ITZATNA Arts)
• Steve Hawkes (Co‑Founder, The Developer Society)

Hosted by John Robb (musician and author). 

We celebrated the completion of the first Executive Masterclass programme. Hear from some of the graduates and how they have put their learnings into action in their co‑operatives.

We will also launch the 2026‑27 Executive Masterclass Programme.

We are thrilled that Rachel Blake MP (Labour and Co‑operative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster), delivered a keynote at Co‑op Congress.

As Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel is one of two ministers with explicit responsibility for co‑operative and mutual growth. Her ministerial portfolio includes co‑operatives, society law, credit unions, building societies and mutual insurers. 

Rachel has been an active champion of co‑operatives in from the backbenches: engaging with co‑operatives in her constituency, advocating for action on key issues like access to finance, and using a place on the Treasury Select Committee to scrutinise government progress on this agenda. 

Rachel comes into office at a critical moment. After two years of laying the groundwork – not least through the Local Power Plan, Pride in Place and extensive consultation – 2026 should be the year for bold policy on business development, finance and legal modernisation, so that co‑operatives can help deliver the change our country needs.

Hear from Russell Gill (Co-op Group) and Liz McIvor (Co‑operative Heritage Trust).

• Rose Marley (CEO, Co-operatives UK)

As youth unemployment and NEET levels rise, technology reshapes jobs and skills gaps widen, urgent questions are emerging. What kind of work will exist in the next decade, and how can young people be embraced rather than left behind? This session brings together perspectives from large employers, small and community-led co-ops and young people themselves to explore how values-led organisations can create accessible pathways, adapt to change and offer meaningful participation. Co-operatives have a vital role to play, both today and for the young people who will become the future of the movement.

• Andrew Pakes MP (PPS Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs)
• Simel Esim (Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy Unit, International Labour Organisation)
• Jim Islam (CEO, OneFamily)
• Fatima Ishaq (Youth Advisory Group, Co-operatives UK & Student Social Worker)
• Louis Burnay (Youth Ambassador, Co-operatives UK)

Hosted by Amber Sandhu (Radio & TV Broadcaster)

The Government’s Local Power Plan sets out an ambitious vision with £1bn to support more than 1,000 local energy projects by 2030 and a goal for every community to have the opportunity to own energy assets. This session will explores the exciting opportunities this poses for co-operatives. It opens with a keynote from Fraser Stewart, Head of Local Energy Strategy at Great British Energy, setting the national direction. Delegates will also hear from community energy co-operatives already leading the way, alongside perspectives on how co-operatives in other sectors can seize the opportunities this agenda creates and access support.

• Fraser Stewart (Head of Local Energy Strategy, Great British Energy)
• Dr Matthew Vickers (CEO, Community Energy England)
• Nadia Smith (Director, Community Energy London)
• Vicky Dunn (Managing Director, Grimsby Community Energy)
• Gareth Dowling (Local Government Officer, Co-operative Party)

Hosted by Maeve Campbell (Independent Climate Journalist)

The Government’s Pride in Place programme aims to build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people, with community ownership at its heart. This session explores what that means in practice for co-operatives, alongside wider opportunities emerging from the agenda, including the creation of a Co-operative Development Unit. Delegates will hear real examples of co-operatives already leading the way, using democratic engagement to bring people together, revitalise local spaces and deliver lasting impact. From high streets to community hubs, the session will show what is possible, what can be replicated elsewhere and how co-operatives can shape places that work for everyone.

• Chris Hill (Co-Founder, The Arcade Group Dewsbury)
• Lenny Watson (Co-Founder, Sister Midnight), Will Rees (Communications Manager, Cartrefi Cymru Co-operative)
• Alice Hemming (Co-operative Development Worker, Co-operative Futures, and Board Member, Co-operatives UK)
• Sean Farmelo (Director and Co-Founder, Stirchley Co-operative Development)

Hosted by Rose Marley (CEO, Co-operatives UK)

Principle Six is one of the co-operative movement’s greatest strengths, and continues to be one of its biggest opportunities. This session will celebrate inspiring examples of co-operation amongst co-operatives, from sector-specific networks and buying groups to UK and international partnerships that strengthen businesses, build resilience and grow the wider movement. We’ll explore how collaboration can support sustainability, unlock new opportunities and continue to demonstrate our unique co-operative difference. Featuring inspiring examples, this session will also put Principle Six into practice, helping delegates consider how they can connect with or build networks, accelerate learning and create a shared sense of unity across the co-operative economy.

• Ania Vercellotti (Managing Director, Bright Renewables)
• Graham Mitchell (Solidfund), Oliver Drury (Community and Corporate Engagement Officer, East of England Co-op)
• Levent Kerimol (Executive Director, Collective Ownership Society and Community Led Homes Director at CDS Co-operatives).

Hosted by Emma Laycock (Member Services Lead & Head of Co‑operative Advice, Co-operatives UK)

• Cheryl Barrott (Chair, Co-operatives UK)