Co-operatives UK launches online support service for start-up co-operatives
by Ethos public relations
With a surge of interest in co-operatives, the national trade association for co-operatives - Co-operatives UK - has today launched a new online support service for start-up co-operatives.
As the trade body that campaigns for co-operation and works to promote, develop and unite co-operatives, Co-operatives UK has unique tools and resources to help guide people through the early stages of setting up a co-operative business.
It provides assistance and support to help start-up co-operatives get off the ground and is at the heart of a national network of specialist co-operative business advisers who can provide further advice.
The new online support service will help to strengthen Co-operatives UK’s position as the first port of call for anyone thinking about starting a co-operative – a business that is owned and run by its members.
The new online support service for start-up co-operatives will include:
- An accessible guide through all of the basic steps to consider before setting up a co-operative;
- A useful quiz designed to help determine whether the co-operative option is the right one;
- Case studies and examples of how other successful co-operatives work;
- Links to relevant resources and publications;
- Clear links to specialist business advisers who can help make a co-operative dream a reality.
Commenting on the launch of the new online support service, Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “The co-operative sector as a whole has been outperforming the UK economy since the start of the credit crunch, reflecting a turn to more trusted businesses following the financial crisis of the last few years.
“With the co-operative way of doing business enjoying such a renaissance, our new online support service will really help people to develop their ideas and access the advice they need to build sustainable co-operative businesses.”
The new online support service launches as part of the International Year of Co-operatives 2012 - a unique opportunity for co-operative businesses and their members and supporters to come together as a global movement to promote how co-operatives build a better world.
This is the first of three phases of the new online support service. In May, the second stage will focus on how to grow a co-operative. In June the final phase will focus on providing business advisers with the support they need when working with co-operatives.
To access the new online support service for start-up co-operatives, please visit www.uk.coop/start.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 18th April 2012
Students lead the way when it comes to sharing
by Ethos public relations
As new research shows that almost double the number of full time students, at 20%, buy in bulk co-operatively compared to people who have retired (12%), a new £60k community buying innovation challenge is encouraging more people to go back to their heady student days and think collectively to combine their buying power.
Figures revealed by Co-operatives UK show the latest trend in young people’s buying habits is streets ahead, with students (31%) also more than three times as likely to buy and share items with others compared to the nation as a whole (9%).
“Students are best at sharing,” says Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, the national trade body for co-operative enterprises, “and they could teach us all a thing or two about buying co-operatively to help make our money go further.
“Living with debt is a fact of life for many full time students,” Ed Mayo adds, “yet they emerge in our research as the most financially astute group in the population when it comes to saving money.”
The research, as part of Co-operatives UK’s ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ in partnership with The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), reveals that 20% of full time students regularly buy in bulk with others in order to reduce costs compared to just 12% of people in retirement.
The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ is an exciting initiative to help inspire new models of community buying, stimulate enterprise and promote shared learning and both Co-operatives UK and BIS have contributed £30k to the prize fund.
Community buying, which involves groups of individuals combining their buying power to purchase goods or services together and get better deals from shops and other suppliers, can help businesses spread their overheads and in turn lowers costs for consumers. The challenge is now open to applications from students as well as groups and organisations within the public, voluntary or business sectors, which focus on creating new or developing existing community buying schemes.
To give guidance to applicants there are three challenges. They are:
- Challenge One: A project aimed at creating a platform, tool or vehicle to help individuals to come together and form a community buying group.
- Challenge Two: A project aimed at enabling existing or new community groups to develop their purchasing power by working collectively.
- Challenge Three: A project aimed at businesses to empower their employees or consumers to group for community buying.
The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ £60k pot will go towards training and mentoring for stand out projects and includes £15k for the overall winner.
Norman Lamb, Consumer Affairs Minister, said: “Students are a resourceful bunch and this shows that they already understand the benefits of buying collectively. The Buy Better Together Challenge is a fantastic partnership between BIS and Co-operatives UK and gives groups a great opportunity to deliver real deals and social benefits for their communities.
“I would encourage everyone to get involved, read the guide on how to get started and submit an entry on the website. Community buying has a range of uses to give consumers a bigger voice - from food co-operatives to heating oil groups - and I look forward to seeing the innovative ideas later this year.”
Ed Mayo adds: “Co-operative buying, whether informal with friends, student food co-ops or of crowd-sourcing online, is a growing trend among consumers and a good way to make your money go further. The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ is intended to stimulate enterprise and promote shared learning and we look forward to receiving many innovative and inspiring ideas!”
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2069 adults of which 64 were full time students. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 15th February 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
To find out more about the ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ and to complete an application form, please visit www.bis.gov.uk/buying/. You can also join the conversation on Twitter by using #communitybuy. If you would like to speak to somebody in more detail about the Challenge, please call the helpline number – 0207 215 6570.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 29th March 2012
Co-operatives UK publishes new guide to help Move Your Money
by Ethos public relations
To coincide with Move Your Money month this March, Co-operatives UK - the trade association for co-operative enterprises – is publishing a ‘Little Book of Money’ to help people move their money to more ethical banks.
The Move Your Money campaign which launched earlier this year, hopes that March will see people across the UK pledging to move their money to fairer and more local forms of banks.
And in support of Move Your Money Month, Co-operatives UK is producing a short guide to moving current and savings accounts to co-operative and mutual providers such as credit unions, building societies and The Co-operative Bank.
The 'Little Book of Money' provides a light and informative guide to why and how to move money to a better bank. It includes:
- A short history of banking
- A short history of mutual finance
- An outline of the key co-operative and mutual banking options
- Why move your money
- How to move your money.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “Bank switching is more fun than bank bashing and it is more likely to be effective too. There are now co-operative and mutual options across the UK for current accounts, savings and investment.
“This guide, based on the experience of people who have already moved their money, will help make it easy for you to join in.”
Danielle Paffard, Move Your Money spokesperson, said: “Empowering consumers to understand and engage with ethical, social and mutual financial institutions strengthens the alternative banking sector, intensifies pressure on the big five banks and gives greater cause to the political agenda for change.
“During Move Your Money Month we hope to see people across the country joining the movement to build a better banking system.”
10 Tips On How To Move Your Money
1. Your choice. You have more choice than you think. Member-led organisations include building societies, credit unions and organisations like The Co-operative Bank.
2. Every day or rainy day? Decide whether you wish to move your current account, your savings account or both.
3. Make it personal. Decide what matters to you with a new account. Is it the functions such as internet access, financial returns, interest rates and ethical policy or assurance of good service?
4. Prepare to make a statement. Make opening an account easier by having the following ready: two forms of Identification, one form of photograph identification, a proof of address (such as an old bank statement), your national insurance number and your old bank account details.
5. An open and shut case. You can open your new account without closing your old one. Choose to manage this yourself or ask the new bank who will do this for you.
6. Let standing orders stand. Completing a switch form allows your new bank to transfer all standing orders and direct debits to your new account.
7. Be assured. If the move goes wrong then you have got consumer rights to put things right. Start complaining to your bank and escalate the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you are not happy.
8. Membership matters. Remember, when you open an account you can also become a member. Take a look at the benefits.
9. Spread the word. Let others know by adding your name to the Move Your Money campaign www.moveyourmoney.org.uk.
10. Feel good. Congratulations, you have chosen to make your finances fair trade.
Visit www.uk.coop/moveyourmoney to download the ‘Little Book of Money’.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 1st March 2012
New £60,000 Community Challenge Prize now open to applications
by Ethos public relations
As new figures show that over eight million people - almost a fifth of people in the UK - buy in bulk co-operatively, a new £60k community buying innovation challenge opens to applications today.
The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ is encouraging more and more people to think collectively to combine their buying power.
The research, carried out by Co-operatives UK, the national trade body for co-operative enterprises, reveals that 17% of people already buy in bulk with others.
The community challenge prize, launched by Co-operatives UK and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) hopes to see this increase throughout 2012 by encouraging new models of community buying.
The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ is an exciting initiative to help inspire new models of community buying, stimulate enterprise and promote shared learning and both Co-operatives UK and BIS have contributed £30k to the prize fund.
Community buying, which involves groups of individuals combining their buying power to purchase goods or services together and get better deals from shops and other suppliers, can help businesses spread their overheads and in turn lowers costs for consumers.
The challenge is now open to applications from groups and organisations within the public, voluntary or business sectors, which focus on creating new or developing existing community buying schemes.
To give guidance to applicants there are three challenges. They are:
- Challenge One: A project aimed at creating a platform, tool or vehicle to help individuals to come together and form a community buying group.
- Challenge Two: A project aimed at enabling existing or new community groups to develop their purchasing power by working collectively.
- Challenge Three: A project aimed at businesses to empower their employees or consumers to group for community buying.
The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ £60k pot will go towards training and mentoring for stand out projects and includes £15k for the overall winner.
Norman Lamb, recently appointed Consumer Affairs Minister, said: “The Buy Better Together Challenge is a fantastic partnership between BIS and Co-operatives UK and gives groups a great opportunity to deliver real deals and social benefits for their communities.
“I would encourage communities and businesses to get involved, read the guide on how to get started and submit an entry to the challenge on the website. Community buying has a range of uses to give consumers a bigger voice - from food co-operatives to heating oil groups – and I look forward to seeing the innovative ideas later this year.”
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “Co-operative buying, whether informal with friends, student food co-ops or of crowd-sourcing online, is a growing trend among consumers and a good way to make your money go further. Our research shows that almost 20% of people are buying co-operatively and with household budgets under such a squeeze, we are finding more interest than ever in co-operative models of business.
“The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ is intended to stimulate enterprise and promote shared learning and we look forward to receiving many innovative and inspiring ideas!”
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2069 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th - 15th February 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
To find out more about the ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ and to complete an application form, please visit www.bis.gov.uk/buying.
You can also join the conversation on Twitter by using #communitybuy. If you would like to speak to somebody in more detail about the Challenge, please call the helpline number – 0207 215 6570.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 21st February 2012
Leading Economist predicts era of ‘Co-op Capitalism’
by Ethos public relations
Leading Economist, Professor Noreena Hertz, who for more than two decades has made accurate predictions about economic trends, has named ‘Co-op Capitalism’ as the next economic era.
In a paper published today by Co-operatives UK, Professor Hertz states that ‘The model of capitalism that was dominant for the past 30 years has clearly failed. It’s time to embrace a new model of capitalism, Co-op Capitalism, for reasons of social justice but also enlightened self interest.
“Co-op Capitalism offers a new way forward that reconnects the economy with society and puts collaboration, community and the collective first.”
The ‘Co-op Capitalism’ paper highlights how other countries, with a more co-operative mindset, are growing because of a more collaborative relationship between the state, market, individual and society. It also highlights how businesses that embrace the Co-op ethic are weathering the economic downturn better than traditional ones.
According to Professor Hertz, the next economic era of ‘Co-op Capitalism’ will have four distinctive characteristics:
- Community and collective will be valued as we recognise that connections allow us to achieve more that we could by ourselves.
- ‘How’ we interact will matter, as the process and quality of relationships is viewed as integral to what it is we achieve.
- Connections and networks will be recognised as having economic and social value.
- Collaboration will be recognised as having the potential to trump competition.
“In the Co-op Capitalism era” says Professor Hertz “the businesses that thrive will be those that acknowledge the power of collaboration, are able to engage in meaningful ways with their customers, workers and suppliers, are proficient in investing in long term relationships and embrace the ethos of co-creation and co-design.”
Commenting on the publication, Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, says: “It is no coincidence that in thriving economies such as the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) fifteen percent of their population are member-owners of co-operative enterprises. Co-operation is a proven global model that is well-equipped to meet new economic needs.”
Professor Noreena Hertz will present ‘Co-op Capitalism’ in a keynote speech at ‘The Co-operative Opportunity’ in London on Wednesday 15 February 2012.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 13th February 2012
Co-operatives UK warmly welcomes Move Your Money – ‘the campaign for our times’
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives UK, the trade association for co-operative enterprises, applauds today’s launch of Move Your Money – a new campaign encouraging individuals to switch to a more ethical bank.
Based on a similar campaign in the United States, the UK campaign aims to encourage people to move their current and savings accounts to fairer and more local forms of bank – specifically credit unions, building societies and The Co-operative Bank.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: "We have co-operative and mutual options for current accounts and savings right across the UK and every pound is reinvested for good rather than for bad. At an individual level, you can't do everything to put an unfair economy right - but you can do something. Move Your Money is the new fair trade. It is THE campaign for our times."
Key facts on co-operative and mutual money are:
The demutualisation of some building societies from the late 1980s withdrew around 70% of assets from mutual building society and insurance sectors.
Since then, co-operative and mutual models have grown rapidly, focusing on a mix of meeting needs not met by mainstream banks, value for money and social responsibility.
Across Great Britain, there are now 465 credit unions that serve 870,000 members. £600 million is saved in credit unions. Building societies have £220 billion of UK savings.
Since the credit crunch, The Co-operative Bank has been named by the Financial Times as the world's most sustainable bank, while Nationwide Building Society has been listed by Global Finance Magazine as one of the world's safest financial institutions.
The UK Move Your Money campaign can aim to achieve the success of co-operatives on the continent. In the Netherlands, half the population is with the highly successful co-operative Rabobank, while in Germany co-operative banks have 30 million members.
Overall, European co-operative banks have 20% of the market.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 31st January 2012
Co-operatives UK applauds historic announcement by Prime Minister of a consolidated act for co-operatives
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives UK, the trade association for co-operative enterprises, has warmly welcomed the announcement made by the government today (19 January) that they are to refer the legislation governing co-operatives and mutuals to the Law Commission.
The announcement, made by the Prime Minister David Cameron, means that the 17 separate pieces of legislation governing the sector, much of which dates back to 1965 and has been developed piecemeal, may now be consolidated into one Act.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “The new act is intended to make it as easy and natural to form a co-operative as any other form of business. We are delighted to see the Coalition taking action to put co-operative businesses on an equal footing and create a diverse economy.
“Co-operatives, as well as being widely recognised for their ethical business practices, are a vital part of the British economy, employing more than 235,000 people, turning over more than £33 billion each year and generating a significant amount of wealth for the country.”
Co-operative businesses are already outperforming the UK economy and have grown by 20% since the start of the credit crunch. The consolidation of the legislation will create a more equal playing field for them by creating clarity and reducing running costs.
The announcement comes at the start of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, a global campaign to increase understanding of co-operative businesses.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 19th January 2012
Co-operatives across the UK unite for launch of 2012 International Year
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives up and down the country are gearing up for a flying start to the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012, with a number of high profile events planned to kick start the year in style.
The United Nations has designated 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives. It is a unique opportunity to open the lid on some of the world’s best kept secrets. There are over I.4 million co-operatives across the globe, working in everything from farming to football, healthcare to housing. Between them they have nearly 1 billion members and over 3 billion people secure their livelihood through co-operatives.
On Thursday 12 January 2012 a number of events will take place to mark the start of the International Year. Co-operatives UK and The Co-operative Group are holding a live one-hour online debate in partnership with The Guardian.
There will be receptions in the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies, along with tastings, conferences and book launches across the UK. Further afield, there will be celebrations in France and Portugal, Canada and China.
Activities for the International Year of Co-operatives will continue throughout 2012, with co-operatives in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – and around the world – using the Year to show how co-operatives build a better world.
On 7 July, co-operative everywhere will celebrate International Co-operatives Day, whilst in the week of 29 October over 10,000 people from around the world are expected to attend Co-operatives United, a world co-operative festival and expo in Manchester.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “2012 is a truly unique year for the co-operative movement.
“This is an opportunity for every co-operative, from locally owned community shops to national brands in the UK co-operative sector, to show how they build a better world by pursuing both economic viability and social responsibility.”
To find out more about the United Nations 2012 International Year of Co-operatives visit the ICA at www.2012.coop or the United Nations at http://social.un.org/coopsyear.
For further information about what is happening in the UK throughout the International Year, visit the Co-operatives UK website at www.uk.coop/2012.
Follow the action on social media by following @CooperativesUK on Twitter and visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CooperativesUK.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 12th January 2012
New £60,000 Community Challenge Prize launches
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives UK and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) have today launched a new £60k community buying challenge to inspire innovative models for buying together.
The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ is an exciting initiative to help inspire new models of community buying, stimulate enterprise and promote shared learning and both Co-operatives UK and BIS have both contributed £30k to the prize fund.
Community buying, which involves groups of individuals combining their buying power to purchase goods or services together and get better deals from shops and other suppliers, can help businesses spread their overheads and in turn lowers costs for consumers.
The competition is also open to groups and organisations within the public, voluntary or business sectors. The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ £60k pot will go towards training, mentoring and seed funding for stand out projects, including £15k for the overall winner.
Launching the ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ at a community buying conference at Westminster in London today, Consumer Minister, Edward Davey, said: “I am really encouraged by the experiences of the existing groups we’ve heard from today, who have realised significant benefits from community buying. And not just in monetary terms, but also through the huge social payback these schemes deliver, such as opportunities to develop new skills, increase confidence and build closer communities.
“This is another strand of our consumer empowerment strategy; giving consumers the tools and guidance they need to take more informed choices and get better deals. I look forward to seeing the new and exciting ideas that will be put forward for the prize and the benefits that it will bring for the wider community.”
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “Co-operative buying, whether informal with friends, student food co-ops or of crowd-sourcing online, is a growing trend among consumers and a good way to make your money go further.
“Our research shows that a quarter of people already buy in bulk with others and this is set to rise by 20 per cent this year. With household budgets under such a squeeze, we are finding more interest than ever in co-operative models of business.
“We are delighted to work in partnership with BIS to launch the ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ to recognise and inspire new models for buying together.”
The ‘Buy Better Together Challenge’ will be open for applications from January 2012. In May, shortlisted applicants will be asked to prepare a detailed business plan for the final stage, aided by a business mentor if they need it. The overall winner of the prize will be announced in October 2012.
To register your interest, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/STXL82C.
Or to find out more information about the project, visit www.uk.coop/challenge.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 7th December 2011
Co-operatives UK a partner in new Mutuals Information Service
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives UK is pleased to announce it is a partner in the new Mutuals Information Service, a service to deliver specialist advice and support to mutual organisations spinning out of the public sector.
Funded by the Cabinet Office, the Mutuals Information Service aims to inform public sector workers about mutual models and signpost those interested in setting up a mutual to appropriate guidance and support.
The Mutuals Information Service is being delivered by a consortium that includes Co-operatives UK, PA Consulting Group, Employee Ownership Association, Social Enterprise UK, Baxi Partnership and the Office for Public Management.
Co-operatives UK’s role in the service is two-fold:
- To promote understanding of the co-operative model to ensure that any new public sector mutuals are sustainable enterprises based on co-operative values and principles.
- To signpost enquiries to co-operative business development advisers in Co-operatives UK’s network of specialists.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “We’re pleased to see that this service has been set up. Setting up a mutual organisation is a very hopeful but daunting prospect for many public sector workers, who are going to need high quality information, advice and support through the whole process.
“The experienced consortium behind this service are acutely aware that the need for this support has never been higher.”
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 5th December 2011
Co-operatives UK launches last in series of guides for community enterprises
by Ethos public relations
The national trade association for co-operative enterprises has launched the final part of its Community Enterprise Toolkit at the Co-operatives UK Autumn Forum today (Tuesday 29 November) in Manchester.
The last in a comprehensive set of guides and online resources for new and existing community enterprises has been published by Co-operatives UK, to offer simple, step by step advice for the increasing numbers of communities doing things for themselves.
The ‘Simply Start-Up’ guide has been produced as a finale to a four year project that has helped over 350 community groups turn their ideas for a local, collectively owned business into a reality - from community supported agriculture projects in rural Gloucestershire to co-operatively run market gardens in East London.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, believes that there is something very different about the sorts of community enterprises that are now being set up.
“Our work seems to have tapped into a real sense of activism amongst people who have a specific idea and are more than happy to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, together,” he says.
“The co-operative sector as a whole has been outperforming the UK economy since the start of the credit crunch, reflecting a turn to more trusted businesses following the financial crisis of the last few years.
“The rise of communities doing things for themselves - whether it's growing together on land, taking over their local pub or wrestling some control back over their football club - shows that people are frustrated by waiting for others to help their community and are transforming it themselves instead.”
To find out more about the Co-operatives UK Community Enterprise Toolkit and to download a copy, please visit www.uk.coop/simplyseries.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 29th November 2011
UK’s largest worker co-operative wins ‘People and Culture’ award
by Ethos public relations
Suma Specialist Wholesalers (Suma) has won a prestigious Phillip Baxendale award for People and Culture at the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) conference held recently in Birmingham.
Suma, the UK’s largest independent wholefood wholesaler and distributor, specialising in vegetarian, fairly traded, organic and natural products and the UK’s largest worker co-operative, received its accolade at the conference at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.
Owned and democratically managed by its worker-owners and committed to ethical business, Suma was voted The Baxendale People and Culture award winner for its culture of employee ownership, transparency and meaningful engagement with employees and driving notable activity to strengthen a culture of productive partnership.
Bob Cannell, Member Partner at Suma, said: “We are delighted and honoured to be given this award.
“Our multi-skilled, equal status, self-managing working culture is a successful formula that many of the big corporations are now trying to copy, with more and more introducing it into their own employee engagement programmes.”
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, the national trade association for co-operative enterprises of which Suma is a member, said: “We are very pleased that Suma has won this prestigious award for its people and culture. Suma is a superb example of a thriving worker co-operative and we are delighted the team has received this recognition.
“The success of Suma helps to highlight the strong co-operative economy that exists in the UK today. Our state of the sector report, The UK Co-operative Economy 2011, shows that there are 5,450 independent co-operative businesses owned by around 12.8 million people, with the co-operative economy outperforming the UK economy, growing by 21% since the start of the credit crunch in 2008.
“And demonstrating just how success can sit hand in hand with values and principles, last year the combined turnover of all UK co-operatives grew by 4.4% to £33bn.”
The judges of the awards, named after Phillip Baxendale, a pioneer for the employee-owned movement, were Julian Le Grand, head of the government’s Mutuals Taskforce, Professor Jonathan Michie from the Oxford University Centre for Employee ownership, David Erdal, author of ‘Beyond the Corporation – Humanity Working’, Patrick Lewis from the John Lewis Partnership and Patrick Burns of the EOA.
Other winners in Birmingham included: Des Fitzgerald, Waitrose, who won the Outstanding Leadership Award; Felicity Hill, Enuresis Service, Central Surrey Health, winning the award for Employee Innovation; Clansman Dynamics, receiving the Productivity and Performance Award; Navigo Health and Social Care, which scooped two awards – the Employee Ownership Rising Star Award and the Public Sector ELMO (Employee Led Mutual Organisation) Award; and Hugh Facey, Gripple, who won the Voice of Employee Ownership Award.
Joint winners of the Employee Ownership Champion Award were Partnership Council, Childbase and Future Branch Structures Consultative Committee (FCC), Waitrose.
The recipient of this year’s inaugural Philip Baxendale Fellowship Award, to celebrate the outstanding total contribution of a single individual to the cause of employee ownership, was Stephen May, who has been involved with employee ownership almost literally since birth, as his father, Paul May, was a close associate of John Spedan Lewis, the founder of the John Lewis Partnership.
To find out more about Suma and its work, please visit the website www.suma.coop. For more information about the co-operative sector, please visit the Co-operatives UK website www.uk.coop.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 22nd November 2011
100 years of co-operation in the city is celebrated in style
by Ethos public relations
The Centenary of Holyoake House on Hanover Street in Manchester - the home of Co-operatives UK, the national trade association for co-operative enterprises - was celebrated in style on Friday 11 November 2011.
Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Harry Lyons, was on hand to cut the ribbon to officially open the building’s brand new reception which was transformed in time for the 100-year anniversary, then guests enjoyed a day of co-operative celebration!
With its theme - ‘Then, now and tomorrow’ – the 100-year anniversary open day, which kicked off with a welcome speech by Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, took visitors through a journey of co-operation through the ages, with special tours of the building, displays of co-operative archive materials and iconic photographs on show.
Holyoake House, originally built in 1911 by co-operatives to create a facility to house co-operatives, is now, not only home to Co-operatives UK, but is also the base for a number of other co-operative organisations, including the Co-operative College, Co-operative News, the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL), Ethos public relations and Loop Systems Architects.
Commenting on the day of celebration, Ed Mayo said: “It has been fantastic! We have celebrated our strong co-operative heritage here in Manchester and the 100-year anniversary of Holyoake House in true style.
“Not only has the open day been a real celebration of the history of the co-operative movement but it has provided us with the opportunity to see just how far we have come.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the day such a success!”
For further information about the event, please visit the Co-operatives UK website www.uk.coop.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 14th November 2011
Legislation change helps put co-operatives on a more equal footing
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives UK is delighted to announce that a long awaited Legislative Reform Order was formally accepted in Parliament on Tuesday 8 November – a reform that will make it easier for co-operatives to run their businesses.
The simplifications in the Legislative Reform Order (LRO), which help put co-operatives on a more equal footing with other forms of business, has been a central campaign for Co-operatives UK and the co-operative sector since 2002.
Helen Barber, Head of Legal Services at Co-operatives UK, comments: “This is a significant change for co-operative businesses, helping to ensure that co-operatives are treated equally to other models of business.
“Co-operatives UK and the wider sector has been working with its members and the Treasury to put this into effect for many years, so this Reform Order represents a significant victory.”
A Legislative Reform Order (LRO) is a legal procedure that government can use to remove or reduce burdens resulting from legislation. This LRO applies specifically to Industrial and Provident Societies and credit unions, making changes in three key areas:
Age Limits. The LRO allows people 16 and under to become members of co-operatives and those 16 and over to stand for committees or boards;
Share Capital. The £20,000 limit on share capital will now apply only to withdrawable shares; there will no longer be a limit on non-withdrawable, i.e. transferable, shares;
Interim Accounts. The LRO allows societies to publish un-audited interim accounts provided they are clearly identified and published alongside the most recent audited accounts. This is a change that will save co-operative businesses thousands of pounds in expense.
The LRO is expected to come into effect on 8 January 2012.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 10th November 2011
UK Energy sector goes co-operative
by Ethos public relations
With an announcement due imminently on a review of the feed-in tariff (FiT), it seems that the UK population may already be taking energy into its own hands, with a 24% rise in the number of ‘member owned’ energy co-operatives in the last four years.
The new figures from Co-operatives UK, the national trade association for co-operative enterprises, show that member owned energy organisations is the fastest growth area for co-operative businesses in the UK.
The data is released alongside a comprehensive research report on the sector - ‘A Co-operative green economy – New solutions for energy and sustainable social justice’ written by Pat Conaty and published by Co-operatives UK, which explores the potential for co-operative solutions in renewable energy and household energy reduction.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, says: “Co-operative energy businesses are owned by members and run for members. The co-operative model is a perfect antidote to current energy practices – co-operatives put their members in control of where profits go whether that is back to members, back to the community or to invest in viable green energy projects.
“The big six energy companies are still the giants in the market, but grassroots co-operatives are now organising under their feet.”
Ovesco, in Sussex, is one of Britain’s first community-owned renewable energy providers, formed to help its community invest in localised zero-carbon energy generation. It helps set up community owned energy schemes, fitting solar panels and providing energy advice.
Chris Rowland, Director at Ovesco, said: “The feed-in tariff (FiT) is great. It allows communities to bring in income from renewable power projects and then go on to carry out low carbon work as well as energy efficiency work within our communities.
“Without it, the big six energy companies will always dominate the market.”
For more information about the Co-operatives UK report and to download a copy, please visit www.uk.coop/energy.
To find out more about Ovesco, please visit www.ovesco.co.uk.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 27th October 2011
UK’s 2012 International Year of Co-operatives website goes live
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives UK has today launched the UK’s website for the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives 2012 - www.uk.coop/2012.
The website provides information on what is happening across the country and features a range of useful resources about co-operatives and the International Year for businesses, individuals, journalists and all those interested in learning more.
Also available on the website is a UK identity mark for the International Year. Developed by The Co-operative Group and Co-operatives UK, it can be downloaded in various formats by co-operative businesses and supporters for use in communications and campaigns during the International Year.
In addition, toolkits and leaflets can now be ordered from the site. A range of materials will be added over the coming months – case studies, images and films – which businesses and supporters can use to make the most of the International Year.
The 2012 website also provides extensive links to other activities and sites across the world, including a feed to the Global News Hub and a forthcoming link to www.stories.coop, a new International Co-operative Alliance initiative which is due to go live at the start of 2012.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “2012 is a unique opportunity. We’d love to see everyone in the sector – and beyond – make it a co-operative year by promoting their co-operative values.
“This new website will help businesses and individuals make the most of it – an online events map, useful resources to order or download and links to what else is happening. It will be an online hub for everyone in the UK involved or interested in the International Year of Co-operatives.”
To find out more, please visit the website www.uk.coop/2012.
Posted at 20th October 2011
Get fruity with your work colleagues – set up a cider co-operative
by Ethos public relations
With 179,000 tonnes of uneaten apples thrown away every year in the UK*, a new guide launched today is encouraging people to set up a cider co-operative at work, to celebrate Apple Day 2011 (Friday 21st October).
The new guide, ‘Setting up a cider co-operative at work – Get fruity with your colleagues!’ by Co-operatives UK, shows how work colleagues can get together to make use of the tonnes of uneaten apples that go to waste each year and sets out advice on creating cider co-operatives at work.
According to Arthur Potts-Dawson, chef and visionary behind The People’s Supermarket: “Cider clubs are a new flavour of co-operative. Setting up a cider co-op at work is an easy and sociable way to make the most of one of the UK’s most unsung fruits.”
Mark Simmonds, the guide’s author from Co-operatives UK, says: “If colleagues get together in the next few weeks and bring in their excess apples from their gardens they can have quality, local cider ready for Christmas or the New Year.
“And it is simple to set up a cider co-operative at work. The structure tends to be very informal and anyone who provides some apples can become a member of the co-operative, allowing them to have a say and get some cider in return.”
Now businesses across the UK can help to save so many apples from going to waste every year, by starting their very own cider co-operatives with the help and advice that can be found in the new guide. All businesses can have a co-operative in them.
If you are interested in finding out more about how to set up your own cider co-operative at work, please download a copy of ‘Setting up a cider co-operative at work – Get fruity with your colleagues!’ – www.uk.coop/fruity.
* WRAP research – www.wrap.org.uk
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 19th October 2011
Co-operatives across the UK share in Co-operatives Fortnight success
by Ethos public relations
An independent evaluation of this year’s Co-operatives Fortnight, from 25 June to 9 July, has revealed that large numbers of co-operatives up and down the country took part in the campaign helping to make it a resounding success.
Co-operatives Fortnight 2011, the second ever annual campaign for the sector, with its theme of ‘Yours to Share’ saw people everywhere getting involved, to show how co-operatives share profits, give people an equal say and help build a better world.
The evaluation of Co-operatives Fortnight’s impact, demonstrates that:
- Over 290 events, activities and promotions took place which together reached over 4 million people;
- More than 1.7 million people heard about or talked about co-operatives online. For the first time ever, co-operatives trended on Twitter – it was the second most popular topic, after Cheryl Cole;
- Over 100 media outlets covered the co-operative sector during the Fortnight – from BBC Radio 5 Live to the Financial Times. The combined reach of all media coverage was over 145 million, meaning that every person in the UK would have been able to read about or hear about co-operatives two or three times during Co-operatives Fortnight;
- With receptions, lectures and new reports, every UK politician had at least three opportunities to learn more about co-operatives;
- The campaign petition was signed by over 7,000 individuals and supported by 38 organisations representing many more, including national businesses, charities and campaigning organisations such as Groundwork UK, NUS, Nationwide and Friends of the Earth.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, which co-ordinates Co-operatives Fortnight, said: “We’re pleased that so many organisations decided to get involved in Co-operatives Fortnight this year, from co-operatives large and small to our many supporting organisations.
“We’re only just starting to build movement-wide momentum behind the Fortnight as an annual campaign, but it’s clearly working. With a big presence online, in-store and across the media, our research shows that both recognition and understanding of co-operatives is on the rise.”
As Ben Reid OBE, Chief Executive of The Midcounties Co-operative, said: “I believe that Co-operatives Fortnight is a great opportunity for the movement to showcase all that is best about the co-operative model. At Midcounties we are 100% behind the principle of taking time out once a year to celebrate co-operation.
“We look forward to 2012 when we can work within the framework of the International Year of Co-operatives to make this Fortnight an even greater success.”
Sally Reith of Shared Interest commented: “As a UK based co-operative, Co-operatives Fortnight is a great opportunity for us to attend local and national events, promoting Shared Interest and the work that we do in the international community. As a co-operative supporting other co-operatives the dedicated fortnight obviously gives us a lot to shout about.”
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 4th October 2011
Success in Poland thanks to International co-operative support
by Ethos public relations
The Polish parliament has rejected laws against co-operatives which threatened to turn them into shareholder companies, thanks to support from the international co-operative sector, with particular input from the UK.
Pressure from all sides and significant support on the ground from Dame Pauline Green, the ICA’s president, and Felice Scalvini, President of Co-operatives Europe, has resulted in the Polish Parliament rejecting two laws which seriously threatened to demutualise the entire co-operative sector.
The Polish co-operative sector had been fighting to prevent the adoption of the two pieces of damaging legislation, one which threatened Polish housing co-operatives, the other allowing government to interfere with the governance of co-operatives – moving it away from the accepted principles of the global movement.
Letters of support were sent to the president of the Polish Co-operative Council by Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, and The Co-operative Group.
Alfred Domagalski, president of the Polish Co-operative Council, said: "I would like to thank Co-operatives UK and its members for your support in relation to the recent legislative threats to co-operatives in Poland.
“I am sure it helped with contacts with politicians, but it also helped to build a better sense of unity across co-operators in Poland.
“For now, the immediate threat, in the form of two legislative initiatives, has gone away because of the energetic response across the co-operative movement inside and outside Poland. But we are still vigilant."
Ed Mayo added: “This is a welcome reversal but the threat to the co-operative sector will reappear unless the movement is organised. International support is key to this.”
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 3rd October 2011
Co-operatives UK joins Village SOS campaign to help revive rural communities
by Ethos public relations
Co-operatives UK has joined a new campaign, which launches today, to help people in rural areas reverse the trend of decline by assisting them in setting up and running community enterprises.
As part of Village SOS Active, an exciting campaign by the Big Lottery Fund, Co-operatives UK will work in partnership with The Plunkett Foundation, Locality and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), to provide a national advice line and expert support.
The Active campaign will officially launch on Wednesday 10 August as part of a new six-part documentary series on BBC1 called ‘Village SOS’. And dedicated expert advisers will provide support and guidance to people inspired by the series to set up and run their own community enterprises - from shops and pubs to broadband services and transport systems.
In addition to the Co-operatives UK advice line, Village SOS Active has a dedicated website (www.villagesos.org.uk) with downloadable materials such as start-up guides, ‘How to…’ documents for different kinds of enterprises and template documents to help people write business plans or market their enterprise. The website also includes a community network area, for communities to share ideas and inspire each other.
Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, said: “Co-operatives UK is delighted to be an active partner in Village SOS Active. The campaign will inspire and empower people in rural villages to really think through setting up their own rural enterprises.
“As the trade association for co-operatives, we want to see co-operatives thrive in all areas of the economy, and we will work hard to advise and support these start-up businesses to ensure they become successful and sustainable community enterprises.”
Ed Mayo adds: “Many of these enterprises will begin to flourish in 2012, which is the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, and as our vision is to ‘Build a better world through co-operation’ what better programme to be partnered with.”
Peter Couchman, Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation, said: “The closure of village shops and the boarding up of local pubs is an all too common story for rural communities across the UK.
“But an increasing number of rural communities are fighting back against such closures by setting up and running their own enterprises. There are now 260 community-owned shops across the UK which have a 97% business success rate. Through Village SOS Active, we hope to continue to enthuse and inspire villages to build on this success.”
The first of the six-part ‘Village SOS’ documentary series, can be seen on BBC1 on Wednesday 10 August at 8pm.
To read other news from Co-operatives UK click here.
Posted at 10th August 2011
Back to the top
Issues of the day
"EthosPR: Well done @actionforkids - Mayor presents independence awards to students with disabilities (From Haringey Independent) http://t.co/Q9BQsBKp"
News Categories
- ABCUL (43)
- Action For Kids (63)
- Co-operatives UK (144)
- Econoloft (9)
- Energy4All (9)
- Ethos public relations (23)
- Frith Rugs (19)
- HometownPlus (4)
- Housing e-Academy (44)
- Inview Monitoring Solutions (1)
- Laserase (14)
- Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (67)
