I’ve been providing support and advice to emerging and existing co-operative businesses, community owned enterprises and mutual organisations since 2000, working across the UK on everything from credit unions and employee buyouts, to the development of community owned farms and cinemas. I’m a licensed community shares practitioner and a Trustee of Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, a ground-breaking partnership between local communities and a motorway services business. Love long walks and travelling the country in my baby caravan!
I would describe myself as a co-op geek! I have founded and worked in many place-based co-operatives and community businesses in Oxford and have first-hand experience of business and organisational development. I have an interest and experience in community-ownership and management of land and buildings as well as community-led housing - I lived in a housing co-op for several years.
My strengths and interest lies in supporting and mentoring new start-ups. I am happiest when hiking in the hills.
A TV producer turned social media consultant, and co-founder of two community organisations in my local area around food and crafts, I’m keen on pursuing ideas with the potential to solve community problems and create positive change.
I work with my local community hub which provides vital activities and services to both old and new residents, offering a warm welcome and place of sanctuary. Always thinking about food or walking the dog!
Our Board of Directors
I have wide experience of co-operatives in action, including as a past member of a worker co-operative, a board member of a voluntary co-operative development agency, a credit union, an energy co-operative, and board membership of Midcounties Co-operative and its predecessors.
I currently chair the Co-operative Futures Board having been a founder member of the business.
I'm a keen co-operator, and long-term member and director at tech worker co-operative Co-operative Web, where the membership tasks me to look after everything from the operational side of the business, to sales and the strategy of the co-op. I'm also co-founder & director of The People Co-operative, a network of ethical, sustainable businesses, including Co-operative Futures, with a focus on business to business service companies.
After spending 25 years in commercial banking, my wife and I purchased a shop and post office in the Cotswolds. We hung our aprons up and retired after 14 years, selling our business to Midcounties Co-op and rekindling my passion for co-operatives. This prompted me to join the board of Midcounties, and then the Co-op Futures board. I'm a trustee of Co-operative Community Finance, a proud supporter of Manchester United, and try to keep fit by cycling through the country lanes around my home.
I joined the board of Co-operative Futures in 2012 as one of the Midcounties board members. My first co-operative event was Future Co-ops at the Long Mynd Hotel in Shropshire – and it remains one of the most inspirational conferences I have attended. My background is in marketing and PR – and now social media – helping businesses to survive and thrive. Topics I care about include equality, sustainability, organic farming, and home education.
I've been working in co-operative development with the Co-operative Assistance Network (CAN) for 25 years. I'm committed to the co-operative principles and values and their underlying ethics and as part of my role in CAN I have taken up a number of external board positions including: Co-operative & Community Finance - Director and Staff Trustee; Co-operatives South West - Vice-Chair; Co-operative Futures - Finance Director.