The Co-operative Group calls on its members to play a direct role in the future of the organisation by standing in the first ever elections for the newly formed Group board and council.
The elections will allow Co-operative Group members to help shape the future of the 150 year old organisation, the lives of its 8 million members and the communities they live in.
Nominations have opened for both the 100 strong national members’ council and the Group board following the approval of far-reaching governance reforms in August last year. The new council will be responsible for ensuring The Co-operative’s values and principles are upheld and will scrutinise the board’s decisions. In addition to the council elections, nominations are also being sought to fill the three seats allocated to members on the Group’s new board - member nominated directors (MNDs).
The council and new Group board are integral parts of The Co-operative Group’s new democratic structure, which provides members with a direct vote and the opportunity to stand for election to the new national bodies.
The constitutional reforms have been designed to strengthen the experience and professionalism of the Group’s governance and ensure better accountability to the society’s millions of members.
As nominations opened, the Group chair, Ursula Lidbetter said:
This is a historic moment for The Co-operative Group and the wider Co-operative movement. The Group is beginning a three-year rebuild and we are putting in place a board with the right skills and experience to govern that change. As Group board directors, our three MNDs will, collectively with other board members, be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Group and safeguarding the interests of all our members.
Lesley Reznicek, president of the transitional member Council, added:
This is a truly exciting opportunity for our members to take an active role in the recovery of a great British business. It’s a fundamental aspect of all Co-ops that their members are represented at the highest levels of the business and that their interests and concerns are central to decision making. The council and the three member nominated board directors will provide that guarantee.
A further aspect of the governance reforms also begins today with the ability of members to propose motions to be considered at the Group’s next AGM. Members have until 13 March 2015 to put forward motions that could come before the AGM for a vote by the membership of the Group.
Potential candidates can register on the membership website. The closing date for nominations is 25 February 2015.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by The Co-operative Group, sponsor of the co-operatives and mutuals hub
