It has taken nothing short of an international financial crisis for public debate to bring into question the orthodoxy that 'the role of business is business' – that the relentless pursuit of profit is, and should be, the only activity for which business has responsibility. Step forward then, co-operation – a robust, inclusive and socially responsible approach to business that has remained rooted in principle for over 150 years and has stood resolute in the face of economic vagaries.
It is possible that out of the economic doldrums may emerge an economy that benefits from a much richer diversity of enterprise. The prevailing economic and public policy climate in the UK is one that is encouraging co-operative development; whether it be communities coming together to save the assets and services they hold dear, employees choosing to 'buy-out' enterprises from their employers; or groups of friends coming together to take forward bold, innovative and socially responsible business ideas.
Such is the resurgence of interest in the co-operative model, that the image of co-operatives as dowdy, outmoded and unsavvy operations is gradually being eroded. A new generation of pioneers is establishing co-operative businesses the length and breadth of the UK, and their diversity challenges previously held notions of co-operators and co-operatives. Traditional areas of co-operation, such as retail and farming, continue to grow, but the co-operative economy is being bolstered by new entrants engaged in a host of exciting sectors – from holiday parks to delicatessens, art galleries and green energy producers. In 2010, the co-operative economy in the UK grew some 4.4% to turnover £33.2bn. Contrast this with growth for the UK economy as a whole of 1.3% and it becomes easier to understand why co-operation is no longer being regarded as a business backwater.
The Co-operative Enterprise Hub is well positioned to support the co-operative renaissance; to help fledgling and expanding co-operatives at the time they need it most with advice and training that encourages their long term sustainability. The services the Hub offers are arguably needed now more than ever before, as a host of externalities come together to present unprecedented opportunities for co-operative development. With this increased demand has come an increased need to ensure that the advice and training delivered through the Hub is of a consistently high quality. That is why the Hub is supporting the development of the first set of standards and guidelines for co-operative development advisers in the UK.
The breadth and depth of the Hub's activities is set only to expand, as it responds to new developments in the expanding sector. In 2011, The Co-operative set out ambitious commitments to the co-operative sector in its Ethical Plan. The Co-operative has committed to significant investment, and the Hub will seek to ensure that this continues to be maximised for the advancement, strengthening and sustainability of the co-operative revolution.
