Skip to main content Directory of co-ops Newsroom Resources AboutAbout The network for Britain’s thousands of co-operative businesses, Co-operatives UK works to promote, develop and unite member-owned business worth £38.2 billion to the British economy. OverviewAbout Co-operatives UKLearn more about our governance and strategy, read annual reports, and disover the latest career opportunities What is a co-operative?Co-operatives are driven by values and not just profit. Discover more about what makes co-ops so special Case studiesRead a selection of case studies to discover why the co-op model works for all sorts of businesses and puts members in control The co-operative economyDiscover the total turnover of the UK's co-operative sector and latest trends Contact Us Close Campaigns & PolicyPromoting co-operatives We bring co-operatives together to campaign on vital issues, raise awareness of co-operative businesses and help create a level playing field for the start-up and growth of co-operatives. OverviewCo-operatives FortnightOnce a year co-ops of all shapes and sizes come together to show the power of co-operation Influencing PolicyDetails on our role in campaigning for co-operative policy and getting members involved More Than a Shop podcastMore Than a Shop welcomes guests with something new and radical to say about the big issues of our day and doing business the right way. BrexitOur position and plans on how co-operatives can thrive in a post-Brexit Britain Close Advice & SupportDeveloping co-operatives As the UK’s network for co-operatives, we help new-starts get off the ground, provide specialist advice for growing businesses and lead major programmes to develop the UK co-operative sector. OverviewCoronavirus: Advice for co‑opsIn response to a growing number of enquiries we have produced practical guidance for co‑ops. Updates are being added weekly. Advice and support for your co-opExpert advice on everything from governance to HR. Discover how we can help develop your co-op Register your co-opUse our expert advice and guidance to register your co-op society or company Support and funding for co‑opsCo-operatives UK also manages and delivers a number of other co‑operative support and funding programmes. The HiveGet a bespoke package of direct support, training and mentoring for new start-up or existing co-op via The Hive, in partnership with The Co-operative Bank Close Events & TrainingUniting co-operatives As the network for the UK’s co-operative businesses, we organise flagship national events and facilitate networks and workshops to enable co-operatives to connect, learn and do business with one another. OverviewCo-op events calendarAll upcoming conferences, training events and networking opportunities from Co-operatives UK and across the sector. Training for co-opsStrengthen in key areas from governance and finance to HR and membership. Co-operative Retail ConferenceThe Co-operative Retail Conference, Friday 28 February to Sunday 1 March 2020, will attract the leaders, managers and directors of the UK's consumer owned retail co-operatives. Co-op Connections eventsCo-op Connections are FREE events and online webinars that bring together people from co‑ops of all types to share experience and learning through lively networking events. Close MembershipMembership As the network for Britain’s thousands of co-operative businesses, we provide our members with access to advice, training, networking and events. OverviewCoronavirus: Advice for co‑opsIn response to a growing number of enquiries we have produced practical guidance for co‑ops. Updates are being added weekly. Benefits of membershipDiscover what membership can do for you and your co-op Membership packagesSmall or large, retail or agriculture, we've got a package to suit the full spectrum of co-ops Contact PackageYour co-op can access the best support from some of the UK’s leading advisers on governance, finance, HR and membership. HR packageHigh quality HR advice and support plus significant procurement savings are just some of the benefits Agricultural packageFind out about our bespoke membership offer for farmer-controlled businesses Close Search Search Search for a local co-op Browse the newsroom Downloadable resources Close Directory of co-opsNewsroomResources You are hereHome    Co-operatives UK newsroom   Press release Farewell to Secretary General Ed Mayo After more than a decade at the helm of Co-operatives UK, we say farewell to our Secretary General, Ed Mayo who leaves us to take up an exciting new role at London-based charity Pilotlight. Leaders from across the co-operative movement paid tribute to Ed in a moving video, featuring good luck messages from co-operators from Australia, the USA, Germany and across the UK. Steve Murrells, CEO of one of the UK's largest co-ops, The Co-op sent a personal message, along with the CEO of Lottery funder Power to Change, the Employee Ownership Association, Plunkett Foundation, co-op College, Co-op News and Central England Co-operative.  Nick Matthews, Chair of the Board of Co-operatives UK said:  "Thank you for the work for the work we've done together in the last 11 years. Like any great manager, you've built a team able to carry that work forward. So now we are stronger, more versatile and more able to carry forward that thinking [about co-operation]." Steve Murrells, Chief Executive, The Co-op Group said:  "I've had a chance to watch you really champion co-ops across the United Kingdom – and further afield across the world. You have done a remarkable job putting co-ops into the psyche of good business. You've led from the front, you've engaged all the way and I think your legacy says everything about the difference that you've made." Leaders from partner organisations added their tributes to Ed, including Vidhya Alakeson, Chief Executive, Power to Change, who said: "Thanks for five great years of partnership. We'll miss your wisdom and generosity of spirit." Whist Deb Oxley, Chief Executive, Employee Ownership Association said: "Your passion for co-operation is second to none. Your insight into the co-operative landscape and the sector – and the wider economy as well – and your thoughtfulness with which you've applied that insight has been profound, and certainly left a huge legacy on the sector." James Alcock, Chief Executive, Plunkett Foundation, added: "I'm going to miss how you manage to cut through all the noise in meetings and come up with brilliant summations at the end of very long conversations. Thank you also for your long continued support of Plunkett Foundation and, for me personally, you've been an inspiration to me and a great mentor."  Other co-operative infrastructure organisations added their good wishes, with Dr Cilla Ross, Principal and Chief Executive, The Co-operative College, saying: "Thank you so much for all of your support and goodwill whilst I've been the College, in a variety of roles, and for the enormous knowledge exchange that has gone on, from you to me, as I've learned a great deal about the co-op movement." Rebecca Harvey, Executive Editor, Co-op News added: "What a phenomenal amount you've achieved at Co-operatives UK over the past decade. You’ve made a massive, massive impact on the UK co-op movement – and I have no doubt you'll do the same in the charitable sector too."  The leadership team at one of the UK's largest independent societies wished Ed well, with Jim Watts, Society Secretary at Central England Co-op saying, "Thank you for your support and passion for the co-op movement over the years." Whilst Elaine Dean, President of Central England Co-op added: "Thank you very much for all the years of help and friendship and advice as Secretary General of Co-operatives UK." Messages of good will flooded in from across the world, with Ed's counterparts in Australia and the United States adding their thank yous: Doug O’Brien, President and CEO, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International [United States] said:  "On behalf of co-operators in the United States, thank you for everything that you've done for our movement. Your passion, your expertise, your integrity, has given us so much." Mathias Fiedler, President, Euro Coop said: "Thank you for your inspiring work for the co-operative movement. I hope to see you very soon again".   Melina Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals [Australia] said: "Thank you for your powerful commitment to the co-operative sector." Ed takes up his new role at Pilotlight in June and Co-operatives UK will be beginning its search for a new Chief Executive in the coming weeks.  Goodbye Ed, and thank you for everything, from all your friends and colleagues at Co-operatives UK. WATCH THE VIDEO Share this Updated: 03/06/2020 Sign up to our newsletter Sign up Quick facts Ed Mayo leaves Co-operatives UK after 11 years as Secretary General Latest headlines Co-op Economy 2020 report reveals co-ops almost twice as likely as other businesses to survive early years 5 June 2020 - 6:00am The future of the UK's high streets | More Than a Shop podcast 2 June 2020 - 3:58pm New platform launched to support new wave of community activism 26 May 2020 - 3:50pm Insolvency reforms could help co-ops survive crisis 21 May 2020 - 8:43pm Extra COVID-19 funding for social economy 21 May 2020 - 6:11pm Digging in: the local food revolution | More Than a Shop podcast 19 May 2020 - 5:40pm Follow us online:    Facebook    Twitter    LinkedIn Business Recovery & Adapation | Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency 10th June Training: Essential co-operative secretary – Birmingham [postponed] Birmingham, 11th June Business Recovery & Adapation | Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency 12th June More events   Sign up to our newsletter Thousands of businesses,one network Co-operatives UK Limited, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester, M60 0AS. Registered in England as a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Reg No. 2783R Vat Reg. 147 8611 47 About Us Careers Contact Us Meeting Rooms