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Who's Who?

Neil Arnold. 
Charlie Baker.
Martin Beaumont.
Graham Roy Bennett.
Chris Blanchett.
Nic Bliss.
John R Brodie.
R H (Bob) Burlton.
David Button.
Matthew Coulson.
Ferguson H. Cowan.
Keith Darwin OBE.
Hugh Donnelly.
Neil Double.
Lord Fyfe of Fairfield.
John Fitzgerald.
Douglas Fletcher.
Alan Gill.
David Graham.
Pauline Green.
Tony Gudgeon.
Peter Hunt.
Richard A. Hughes.
Emma Hutton.
Chan Kataria.
Ali Kurji.
Ursula Lidbetter.
Mark Lyonette.
Peter V. Marks.
Sir Graham Melmoth.
John Mitchison.
Richard Moreton.
Graham Murray.
Ben Reid.
Robert H. Ritchie.
Malcolm Rutherford.
Richard E Samson.
Lord Simon of Highbury CBE.
Allan Smith MBE.
Tony Teatum.
Keith A Tindell.

Neil Arnold b.1944
Regional Chief Executive North Eastern & Cumbrian Co-op, Chief Operating Officer Productives (part of the Co-operative Group)

Neil began his career as a management trainee with the North Shields Co-operative Society in 1960. From 1968, he held a variety of senior management positions with Fine Fare, Moores Stores and Allied Suppliers before returning to the North Eastern Co-op in 1983.

In 1989, he was promoted from food controller to Chief Executive designate, taking charge of the business the following year.

As Chief Executive, Neil heads a team of more than 6,000 staff who work in over 200 outlets in the North East and Cumbria. He is responsible for food stores, department stores and funeral homes across the region, as well as the national Priory Motor Group.

A member of the Co-operative Group national executive management team, Neil served as a director for CWS. Previous directorships have also included Co-op Retail service, CIS, ACC and Gilsland Spa Ltd.
www.co-op.co.uk
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Charlie Baker
The Confederation of Co-operative Housing

Charlie Baker became involved in housing issues as a tenants representative for Manchester's notorious Crescents in Hulme 12 years ago. He set up the Hulme Community Architecture Project to help train and inform tenants in the development process and this project has now been developed into a training course at the Tenant Resource Centre with The Glasshouse Foundation.

He is a founder member of Homes for Change housing co-operative and Work for Change workspace management co-operative in Hulme. As a day job Charlie is an architectural designer, he was a co-founder of Build for Change design and fabrication co-operative, and co-author of the Design Guide for Hulme, now extended to cover the whole city.

He has worked on projects ranging from the London Fields Squatters to Millennium Villages. He is currently working with Urbed, carrying out architectural feasibility studies and masterplanning for numerous projects, including local workspace, and developments in Brighton, Bristol and London. He is a founder member of the Confederation of Co-operative Housing which he has represented on the UK Co-operative Council for nine years.
www.cch.coop
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Martin Beaumont b. 1949
Chief Executive of the Co-operative Group

Born on the Wirral, North West England

1971 - Graduated from Magdalene College Cambridge with honours degree in Economics and Land Economy joining KMG Thomson McLintock (now KPMG) as a trainee accountant.
1975 - Joined the Management Consultancy division, and in 1983 became the 1st Executive Director of the division to be awarded partner status.
1987 - Martin joined client firm Egmont Publishing Group as group FD and deputy group MD.
1990 - Joined United Norwest (now United Co-operatives) as Financial Controller, and was confirmed as Chief Executive in 1992.
1996 - Became a director of Co-operative Group and the Co-operative Bank.
2002 - Joined Co-operative Group as Chief Executive in succession to Sir Graham Melmoth, and also became a director of CIS.
www.co-op.co.uk
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Graham Roy Bennett
Chief Executive Southern Co-operatives Limited

Mr Bennett joined the Southern Co-operatives Society in 1979; by 1983 he had been appointed Chief Executive and Secretary.

Mr Bennett is also a Director of the Co-operative Group, Chairman of The Co-operative Bank plc and a Director of CIS Ltd. As well as these posts Mr Bennett is a member of the advisory board of Portsmouth University Business School and a Fellow of the British Institute of Management.
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Chris Blanchett
Chief Executive Colchester & East Essex Co-operative Society Limited

Chief Executive, Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society Limited since 1991.
Previous with Marks & Spencer, Edgars Stores (Z.A.), Coles Myer (Austrialia) Sara Centre and Bhs.
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Nic Bliss
The Confederation of Co-operative Housing

Nic has been a representative of the Confederation of Co-operative Housing since 1994; a member of 20/20 Housing Co-op in Birmingham since 1989 and has worked for Birmingham Co-operative Housing Services since 1995 on a range of tenant and community orientated projects. He was the author of the CCH's strategy document Tenants Taking Control (1988) and a joint author of the CCH research report Tenant Control & Social Exclusion (2001).

Nic is a founder member of the South East Birmingham Community Credit Union, Chair of the Birmingham Forum of Credit Unions, a director of the West Midlands Co-operative & Mutual Council, and represents housing co-operatives on the National Council of the National Housing Federation.
www.cch.coop
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John R Brodie
Deputy Chief Executive officer and Head of Finance Scottish Midland Co-operative Society.

1984 - 1989 - Carter & Co - Chartered Accountants
1989 - 1991 - Spicer & Oppenheim - Chartered Accountants
1991 - 1993 - Deloitte & Touche - Chartered Accountants
1993 - 1998 - Scotmid - Financial Accountant
1998 - 2000 - Scotmid - Head of Finance & Assistant Secretary
2000 - present - Scotmid - Depute CEO & Head of Finance
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R H (Bob) Burlton.
Chief Executive of Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-operative Society Limited.
Chair of Co-operative Group (CWS) Limited

Bob Burlton was appointed Chief Executive of Oxford & Swindon Co-operative Society in 1987, at a time when the Society was experiencing severe difficulties. Following the successful turnaround of the Society it absorbed Gloucester & Severnside Society in October 1991, since when the merged society has gone from strength to strength.

He is a director of The Co-operative Group (CWS) since 1992 and is also chairman of the Co-operative Group, the representative body of retail consumer co-operative societies in the UK, and is a member of the Board of the Co-operative College. He was also elected a director of The Co-operative Bank plc in 1993. Bob was elected as President of Congress, the annual conference of the UK consumer movement, for 1999 and delivered a widely acclaimed presidential address. He was a leading member of the Corporate Governance working party that was responsible for the production of the Corporate Governance Code of Best Practice that was introduced in 1994. In April 2002, Bob was also appointed Chair of the CRTG Strategy Group.

Bob is also one of twelve members of the Co-operative Commission, that was established with the support of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. Its report was published in February 2001.

Prior to rejoining the Co-op in 1987, he was a management consultant with Coopers & Lybrand, working with many of the UK's leading retailers. Earlier experience includes positions with Honeywell Computers, RHM Foods and the former London Co-operative Society.

He is the holder of an honours degree in mathematics and the Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance.
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David Button b.
Chairman of Plunkett Foundation

David Button became Chairman of the Plunkett Foundation in 2000, having held key positions in the agri-food sector during a career spanning over 26 years. From 1975 to 1993 he worked with Food from Britain (and its predecessor, the Central Council for Agriculture and Horticulture Co-operation), both as financial controller and director of producer group development. In this role he was responsible for the collaborative strategy, as well as administration and implementation of UK and EU grant schemes. Since 1993 he has undertaken specialist consultancy in both the UK and Central/Eastern Europe, developing business structures for proposed collaborative initiatives for individual producers, farmer-controlled businesses, and national governments.

Affiliations:

Member of the Soil Association Community Supported Agriculture Steering Group. Member of Steering Group overseeing the formation of the English Collaborative Board.
www.plunkett.coop
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Matthew Coulson b.
General Manager Allendale Co-operative Society

Alan began his career with the Allendale Co-operative society in 1965, before becoming Manager for the Cumbria Co-op in 1976, where he worked for 11 years. In 1987, he returned to Allendale Co-op and was appointed General Manager. He is also Chairman of the Allen Valleys Community Trust.
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Ferguson H. Cowan b. 1948.
Chief Executive of Wooldale Co-operative Society

Ferguson started his career with Wallpaper Manufacturers Ltd in 1968, as Merchandising Area Manager. Between 1966-1974 he also worked as a part time youth worker with Rochdale Borough Council (1966-1974). By 1974, he became Projects and Promotions Officer for Vale Royal District Council, a position he held until 1984.

Affiliations:

Member of Co-operative Union Northern Sectional Board
Society Representative on Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Co-operative Council
www.wooldaleco-op.co.uk
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Keith Darwin OBE b.
Former Chairman of the Co-operative Group (CWS) Ltd.

Keith has been involved with the Co-operative movement for over 30 years. He joined the Plymouth Society in 1967, and began his association with Lincoln Society in 1973, when he became Food Controller, progressing to Deputy CEO in 1977. He was appointed as Chief Executive in 1992, and has gone on to more prominent roles within the movement, being elected to CWS board as a Director in 1993, he then succeeded Lord Fyfe, as Chairman of the Co-operative Group in 2000 and retired in 2004.

He is also Chairman of Co-operative Financial Services, Director of CIS, the Co-operative Bank and Shoefayre. He is involved with a number of bodies, serving on the Remuneration & Appointments Committee and Governance Committee.

Other Current Positions:

Chairman of Investors in Lincoln Group.
Chairman of Lincolnshire Economic Action Partnership
www.lincoln.coop
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Hugh Donnelly b.
Chief Executive of Employee Ownership Scotland Ltd

Hugh joined Employee Ownership Scotland Ltd, (formerly the Scottish Co-operatives Development Company Limited SCDC) in August 1988, as Development Officer for Glasgow Peripheral Estates and has worked in co-op start-ups, employee buyouts, rescues, Euro funding, political lobbying. He became Chief Executive Officer of EOS in April 1996.

He is also involved with a number of external bodies and committees, including the UKCC, Co-operation & Mutuality Scotland, European Federation of Employee Shareholders and Social Enterprise Scotland.
www.eos-online.co.uk
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Neil Double b. 1948
Chief Executive of Anglia Regional Co-operative Society Limited

Neil has worked for the Anglia Regional Co-operative Society for over 41 years and held various Senior & Executive positions within the Society including Organisation & Methods Officer, Personnel Services Controller and Support Services Executive prior to being appointed Chief Executive in April 2002.
www.arcs.co.uk
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Lord Fyfe of Fairfield b. 1941
Lord Fyfe has held many prominent positions in Co-operative movement since the 1960s. Widely known as ‘Len’ through the movement, Lord Fyfe served on the board of CWS for 19 years, and was appointed Chairman in 1989. After 11 years as Chairman he stepped down in 2000, the year in which he became a Labour life peer. As well as having played a key role in the merger between CWS and CRS in 2000, he was also a member of the Co-operative Commission, which issued its report on the future of the movement and chaired the debate at Congress 2001 in Birmingham.

Other notable positions include – Former Chief Executive of the Midlands Co-operative Society between 1995-2000, Director of CIS for 18 years. Member of the Co-operative Bank board for 14 years. Previously Chairman of Shoefayre from 1984-2000.

In 2001 Lord Fyfe was elected Congress President, the Movement’s highest honour. Currently Chairman of Unity Trust Bank PLC.
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John Fitzgerald. B 1952
Chief Executive of Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd

John's career in Retail began in the early 1970s, when he held a series of positions with Safeway. In 1984, he joined the Co-operative Movement as Retail Controller for Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Society. John moved to Midlands Co-op in 1998 as Chief General Manager, succeeding Willie Tucker as Chief Executive on 1st August 2005. John also holds a position as non-executive Director on the Co-operative Group Board, having been elected in May 2005.

www.midlandsco-op.com
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Douglas Fletcher b.
Chief Executive of Plymouth and South West Co-operative Society Ltd

Douglas joined the Plymouth and South West Co-op in 1973, serving in a variety of positions including; Internal Auditor (1975-1982), Administration Manager (1982-1985), Deputy Secretary (1985-1989), Administration Controller (1989 1995).

He became the Deputy Chief Executive in 1995, before progressing to the post of Chief Executive in 1996.

Affiliations:

Elected to CWS Board (June 1998) now the Co-operative Group (re-elected 2004)
Appointed to CIS Board (October 1998) resigned July 2004
Elected to CRTG Strategy group (January 2001)
Member of Audit Committee's of the Co-operative Group and CIS resigned from CIS audit Committee only June 2004
Member of Regulatory Committee and Remuneration Committee of CIS resigned July 2004
Member of Co-operative Financial Services Board since June 2002 resigned July 2004
www.psw.coop
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Alan Gill b.1948
Chief Executive of Leeds Co-operative Society

Alan obtained a Management Diploma at the Co-operative College and worked in personnel with North Eastern Society before joining NACO as Assistant General Secretary.

In 1979 he joined Norwest as head of Personnel before going on to  run the Non-food, Travel, Funeral Retail Garage, Catering and Pharmacy operations. Alan left following the merger with United in 1991 and established his own management consultancy, helping to organise the movement's 150th anniversary celebrations, and then assisting the CWS in 1995 with the ICA Centenary Congress Celebrations.

In 1997, after two years as Assistant Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Co-operative Council, Alan joined Leeds Society as Chief Executive. Alan is an Executive Committee Member of Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Co-operative Council, Chairman of Leeds Career Guidances  and a Council Member of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce.
www.leeds-coop.co.uk
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David Graham b. 1947
Chief Executive of Fane Valley Society

David Graham joined Fane Valley Co-operative Society in 1968 as a trainee dairy manager, progressing to dairy manager and then general manager.  He became Chief Executive in 1991.  He holds a number of Directorships in subsidiary companies as well as in the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society, UAOS and Rural Support.  He is also a member of the Northern Ireland Water Council, a Past Vice Chairman of the Rural Development Council and is a member of the Armagh Economic Development Group.  He is also a member of the Finance Committee and the Council of the Irish Bowling Association.
www.fanevalley.co.uk
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Pauline Green b. 1948
Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK

Co-operative Background -

  • Former Leader Woodcraft Folk (the Co-operative Movement's youth organisation)
  • Co-operative Member of European Parliament 1989-1999
  • Former Assistant Parliamentary Secretary Co-operative Union 1986-1989
  • President Co-operative Congress 1997
  • President of Industrial Common Ownership Movement (ICOM) 1995 to date
  • Member of Co-operative Commission 2000 to date.
Elected to European Parliament June 1989 Representing London North (The London Boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey)

Took seat from Conservatives with a majority of 5,837
Re-elected in 1994 with a majority of 48,348
Re-elected as the first member for London in June 1999 under PR
Retired from the European Parliament 30 December 1999

Leader of the 214-strong Parliamentary Group of the Party of European Socialists in July 1994 to July 1999

Leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP) June 1993 - July 1994
First Vice-Chair of the Parliamentary Group of the Party of the European Socialists 1993-1994
President of the European Parliament's Inter Group (all Party) on Consumer Affairs 1989-1994.
Vice President of Socialist International Women 1999 to date.
The National Executive Committee of the Labour party 1994-1999.

Affiliations
Member of: Co-operative Party, National Association of Co-operative Officials (NACO), USDAW, Amnesty International, Action for Southern Africa, SERA (Socialist Environment Resources Association), SHA (Socialist Health Association), SEA (Socialist Education Association), Malta Labour Party (UK), Friends of Cyprus (All Party Parliamentary Group).

Honours
Grand Golden Cross with Star (awarded by the President of the Republic of Austria)
Commander of the Order of Honour (awarded by the President of Greece).
Grand Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Cyprus.
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Tony Gudgeon
Chief Executive of Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Ltd

1998- Present: Chief Executive/Secretary Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society Ltd
1996-1998: Financial Controller CRS National Office
1991-1996: Audit & Systems Manager CRS National Office
1989-1991: REO London Region CRS
1986-1989: Deputy REO London Region CRS
1981-1986: Regional Accountant London Region CRS
1976-1981: Regional Accountant Birkenhead Region CRS
1974-1976: Chief Accountant Warrington Co-operative Society ltd
1973-1974: Accountant North Wales CRS
1970-1973: Accountant Morley/Batley Branch CRS
1967-1970: Chief Clerk Morley Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd
1966-1967: Statistician Co-operative Union Ltd
1963-1966: Management Trainee Kendal Co-operative Society Ltd
www.chelmsfordstar.co.uk
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Richard Arthur Hughes b. 1944
Chief Executive and Secretary of Tamworth Co-operative Society

Richard Hughes joined the movement at Greater Peterborough Society in 1973 as Assistant Department Manager of Drapery/Fashions. His association with the Tamworth Society began in 1976, when he was made Drapery Manager. Since then he has served in a variety of senior positions, going from department store manager in 1981 to Non Food Trades manager in 1984. He became Assistant Secretary/Chief Executive of the society three years later and by 1993 he was appointed as the Chief Executive.

Other positions held: Former Director of National Co-operative Chemists. Member of Co-operatives U.K. Midland Sectional Council.

He is also involved in a number of local committees and public bodies, such as Tamworth Domestic Violence Forum, Woodhouse High School, South East Staffordshire Victim Support and Tamworth Credit Union Ltd., all of which he chairs.
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Peter Hunt b.1966
General Secretary of The Co-operative Party

Peter began working for The Co-operative Party in 1994 as an administrative officer and went on to become London Regional Organiser in 1995 and then National Organiser (Southern) a year later. It was in 1998 that he became General Secretary. Prior to working for the Party he was a social housing manager.
www.co-op-party.org.uk
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Emma Hutton
Development Officer, Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition (c/o CBS Network)

Emma was appointed as Development Officer for the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition in October 2004 and works to develop a collective voice for social enterprise in Scotland. She has previously worked for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations on a project to develop the social economy, for the Green Group of MSPs in the Scottish Parliament and for the Community Fund in Scotland.
www.cbs-network.org.uk
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Chan Kataria b. 1954
Chief Executive and Secretary of East Midlands Housing Association Ltd.

Appointed in June 2004 as Chief Executive and Company Secretary. Chan has worked in the housing and regeneration movement for 19 years, in both local authority and housing association sectors. He is an executive committee member for the East Midlands Region of the NHF and also on the board of directors of Shelter in Leicester. He is also an external examiner at Sheffield Hallam University for the housing degree course. www.emba.org
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Ali Kurji b.
Chief Executive of Heart of England Co-operative Society

October 2004 - Chief Executive Heart of England Co-op
April 2003 - 2004 - Deputy Chief Executive Heart of England
1998 - March 2003 - Financial Controller& Secretary Heart of England
1992 - 1997 - General Manager Finance Heart of England
1988 - 1992 - Accountant Heart of England
June 1982 - 1987 - Management Accountant Heart of England
1972 - 1982 - Audit Manager at Appleby English & Partners (Auditors to the Co-op Movement)
www.21stcenturyco-op.co.uk
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Ursula Lidbetter b.
Chief Executive, Lincolnshire Co-operative Ltd

Ursula started her career with the Society in 1985 and has undertaken a wide variety of managerial roles since that time. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries, she previously held the position of Secretary within the Society and was appointed as Chief Executive in November 2004. Ursula is also a Lincolnshire Chamber director, chairman of Lincoln City Centre Partnership and chairman of the East Midlands Co-operative Council.
www.lincoln.coop
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Mark Lyonette
Chief Executive of Association of British Credit Unions Ltd.

Mark has been the CEO of the Association since July 2004, previously serving as Operations Manager for the Association. Before moving to ABCUL, Mark held a variety of management roles in the voluntary sector. www.abcul.coop
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Peter V. Marks b.1949
Chief Executive of United Co-op

Peter Marks has worked for Yorkshire Co-operatives Ltd for over 30 years, the whole of his working life. He joined the Society’s Food Division in 1967, as a Management Trainee and after holding a number of managerial posts was appointed Assistant Personnel Manager in 1974, progressing to Personnel Manager in 1976.

In 1991 he was promoted to the position of Non-Food Trades Officer, responsible for the Department Stores, Funeral and Travel divisions, the Food Division being added to his responsibilities in February 1996. He was appointed Chief General Manager -Retail in September 1996, before progressing to Deputy Chief Executive officer in 1999, and culminating in his appointment in January 2000 to the position of Chief Executive Designate and Society Secretary. He became Chief Executive and Secretary in July 2000. Following the merger of Yorkshire Co-operatives and United Co-operatives in 2002, he was appointed as Chief Executive of the enlarged Society.

He also holds a position as non-executive Director on the Co-operative Group Board and he is also on the board for the Bradford Centre Regeneration Company..
www.coop.co.uk
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Sir Graham Melmoth b. 1938
Chief Executive of the Co-operative Group 1996-2002

Sir Graham Melmoth is a chartered secretary by profession and joined the CWS (now Co-operative Group (CWS) Limited) in 1975 from Letraset where he was the secretary, having worked for BOC and Fisons prior to that.

Sir Graham became CWS secretary in 1976, joined the Executive of the Group in 1987 and was appointed Chief Executive in November 1996. He is the non-executive Chairman of Ringway Developments plc. He is also a Director of The Co-operative Bank plc and the Co-operative Insurance Society Limited amongst others. In September 1997, he stepped down after a two-year term as President of the International Co-operative Alliance.

Sir Graham is a Trustee of the New Lanark Conservation Trust, a Companion of the Institute of Management, Chairman of the Manchester Enterprises Group and a member of Council of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders. Sir Graham was awarded his knighthood in the 2002 New Year's Honours list for his services to the retail industry.

In September 2002 he retired as Chief Executive of the Co-operative Group, and was succeeded by Martin Beaumont.
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John Mitchinson b. 1935
Chief Executive of Moulton Co-operative Society Limited

John joined the West Wylam and Prudhoe Co-operative Society in 1950 as a shop assistant before moving on ten years later to join Coxhoe Co-operative Society as a branch manager. Another move four years later saw him at the Irchester Co-operative Society as secretary manager.

In 1972, John moved again to the Rushden Co-operative Society where he took on the post as dry goods controller before joining Moulton in 1986 as its Chief Executive. Although now in retirement, John is employed by the Society on a part time basis, retaining the post of Chief Executive.
www.moulton.coop.sagehost.co.uk
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Richard Moreton b.
Chief Executive of Plunkett Foundation

Richard Moreton has 20 years experience as a rural development specialist, focusing on strategy and policy support to rural self-help enterprises. Richard started his career with the movement in 1986, as Business Development Officer with the Cleveland Co-operative Agency, he then moved to the Plunkett Foundation in 1989.

After establishing the Plunkett Foundation’s UK consultancy services division in the late 1980s, he spent much of the 1990s working in Central and Eastern Europe, advising the government’s of Poland, Lithuania and Estonia on rural development and agribusiness policy. An institutional strengthening and strategy specialist, Richard returned to the UK in 2000 to head the Plunkett Foundation, which he is repositioning as the UK’s leading centre of expertise on rural social enterprise.

Currently he represents the Co-operative Union on the UK Rural Affairs Forum, and also is a member of the Steering Group overseeing the formation of the English Collaborative Board.
www.plunkett.co.uk
www.plunkett.coop
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Graham Murray
Head of Retail Scottish Midland Co-operative Society.

1978 - 1988 - RS McColl /Martin Retail Group - Merchandise Director
1988 - 1992 - Ran own Retail Greeting Card Business
1992 - 1999 - Carlton cards - Deputy Managing Director
1999 - present - Head of Retail - Scottish Midland Co-op Society
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Ben Reid b. 1954
Chief Executive of West Midlands Co-operative Society

A Fellow of Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, Ben Reid first post was as an articled clerk for Robert A Page & Co, Chartered Accountants 1971-74. Moving through various accounting posts in a wide range of industries, including local Government and the NHS, he joined the Co-operative Movement in 1980 as an Accountant for Ilkeston Co-operative Society. He later joined Leicestershire Co-operative Society as chief Accountant before taking on the post of Deputy Chief Executive of West Midlands Society in 1988. In 1992, he became the Society's Chief Executive.

An active member of the Movement, Ben's external posts include Director of the Co-operative Group Board, Member of Central executive of the Co-op Union, Member of the Board of Management, Co-op College and Chairman of Business in the Community Regional Leadership Team (West Midlands).
www.co-opgrapevine.co.uk/live/
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Robert H. Ritchie b.
Chief Executive of Nith Valley Co-operative Society Ltd

Robert joined the movement in 1969 as sales assistant for the Doon Valley Co-op Society. Between 1971 and 1988 he worked for the Ayrshire Regional Co-op, firstly as Branch Manager for 9 years, and then he was made Non Food Controller. His association with the Nith Valley Co-op started in 1988, taking on the same role, until he was appointed as Chief Executive of the society in 1999. He is also a member of Dalmellington Community Council.
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Malcolm Rutherford b.1951
Chief Executive & Secretary of Seaton Valley Co-operative Society Ltd

2000 - present Chief Executive & Secretary,Seaton Valley
1979 - 2000 Managing Secretary,Seaton Valley
1974 - 1979 Deputy Managing Secretary,Seaton Valley
1973 - 1974 Accountant,Seaton Valley.
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Richard E Samson b. 1953
Chief Executive of Ipwich & Norwich Co-operative Society

Richard Samson is Chief Executive of Ipswich & Norwich Co-op Society, having taken over from Bill Brown following his retirement at the end of October 2004.

Richard's career has been spent with the Co-operative Movement in various parts of the UK, having originally worked for the Scottish Co-op in supermarket and area management.

He then moved to England to carry out site assessment and other consultancy work with the CWS Ltd (now known as the Co-operative Group), before taking up management roles within United Co-op and Chelmsford Star Co-op.

In 1995 he became Chief Executive of the Coventry & East Mercia Co-op, which later became known as the Heart of England Co-op.

During his nine year tenure as Chief Executive, Heart of England Society achieved eight successive years of record profitability and latterly moved into the top five most profitable retail Co-op Societies in the UK.

In 2000, the Society became the first retailer in the world to donate 100% of its profit from selling cigarettes & tobacco to local good causes and is still believed to be the only organisation worldwide to do this. More than £265,000 has already been allocated in this way since the unique scheme's inception.
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Lord Simon of Highbury CBE b. 1939
Former Group Chief Executive and Chairman of BP (The British Petroleum Co plc), Lord Simon has held a variety of high level and senior management roles during his time with BP (1961-1967), and after including: Non-executive Director, Grand Metropolitan plc 1989-97. Member, Advisory Board for Deutsche Bank 1991-1997. Non-executive Director, RTZ Corporation plc 1995-97. Member of the International Advisory Council for Allianz AG Holding 1993-1997 and Court of Bank of England, as a non-executive director between 1995-1997.

He has also served as Minister of State in the HM Treasury and the DTI as Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe (1997-1999). Most recently he has worked as an advisor to the Cabinet Office on the modernisation of Government, and to President Prodi of the European Commission. Former vice president of the European Round Table.

Current Positions:

Advisory Director:
Unilever since 2000,
LEK 2000-,
Morgan Stanley Europe 2000-,
Suez Group 2001-;
Member international advisory committee of Fitch global financial rating agency 2001-;
Supervisory Board Member, Volkswagen AG 2002-
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Allan Smith MBE b. 1947
Chief Executive of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society Ltd

1998 - Present: Chief Executive The Channel Islands Co-operative Society
1980 - 1998: General Manager Channel Islands Co-operative Society
1976 - 1980: Food Manager Channel Islands Co-operative Society
1973 - 1976: Deputy Food Manager The Channel Islands Co-operative Society Ltd
1971 - 1973: Plymouth & South Devon Co-op Area Supervisor
1962 - 1971: Greater Lancastria Co-op Supermarket Manager

Affiliations:

Rotary Club of Jersey
Fellow of Institute of Management
www.ci.cooperative.com
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Tony Teatum b.
Chief Executive of Ilkeston Consumer Co-operative Society Ltd

Joined the Ilkeston Consumer Co-operative Society in 1979 and after helping to create the country’s largest single travel agency, he was appointed Chief Executive in 1991 to oversee what is recognised as the country’s fastest growing co-operative society. He is also Director of the Erewash Partnership.
www.ilkeston-coop.co.uk
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Keith A Tindell b.
Chief Executive of Raunds Co-operative Society Ltd

Keith joined the Kent Co-op Society in 1969 as an accountant, progressing to Financial Controller in 1974. In 1984, he became Chief Executive of the Coventry and District Society, a position he held until 1992 when he started work as a Business Advisor. He returned to the movement in May 2000, when he was appointed Chief Executive of Raunds Co-op Society.

Affiliations:

Member of Co-op Union Midland Section Board
Representative on East Midlands Co-operative Council
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