Colleague News: An update from Debbie and what’s happening this week

An update from Debbie

Dear colleagues,

I hope everyone celebrating Diwali on Sunday enjoyed the occasion and had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. My warmest wishes to all our colleagues, Members and customers marking the festival.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 11 November, is Armistice Day. I encourage everyone who wishes to take part to join the two-minute silence at 11am, remembering those who have lost their lives in conflict and reflecting on the importance of peace.

Thank you to everyone for your contribution during our first year as OurCoop. Your hard work, experience and ideas have helped us make real progress, while continuing to serve our Members, customers and communities every day.

As we approach the first anniversary of OurCoop in January, I want to reflect on our progress and share the arrangements for continuing our work as one Society.

Coming together to create the UK’s largest independent co-operative Society was the right decision. By taking that step with our long-term future in mind, we have put ourselves in a stronger position to navigate challenging trading conditions and respond to unexpected events in an uncertain world. Combining our resources and expertise helps us build a stronger financial future, deliver our co-operative difference and provide greater benefits for Members.

We have achieved a great deal together in our first year, including our new legal name, OurCoop Limited, and a shared identity across our family of businesses.

Much of this progress has been led by our own colleagues, drawing on the talent and experience within OurCoop. This has helped us reduce the need for external consultancy support and its associated costs, while building knowledge and expertise within the Society.

There is still more to do. As more of the programme’s work becomes part of our everyday operations, we will continue to simplify how we work and make better use of our resources.

Working as one Society is expected to deliver £53 million in net benefits over our first five years. By the end of our first financial year in January 2027, we expect to have delivered around £7 million in synergy benefits.

Phil Ponsonby has led our integration programme through its first year and will be leaving on 22 January 2027, following his planned 12 months in the role.

Phil has brought more than 40 years of retail experience to this work. I would like to thank him for his leadership of the programme and for his support and friendship during a momentous year in OurCoop’s history. We will have the opportunity to thank Phil properly and recognise his contribution nearer the time.

As we move into our second year, Selina Butterfield-Mashoofi will take on Executive sponsorship of the programme, with Kate Southorn continuing to co-ordinate the day-to-day work as Programme Manager.

Most of our seven workstream leads already report directly to the Executive member responsible for their area. These reporting arrangements will be completed in December, when Matt Walburn joins as Chief Membership and Marketing Officer and takes responsibility for the Brand and Membership workstreams.

The table below shows who is leading each area and the Executive member they report to:

The programme steering committee will continue to review progress, address risks and issues, and make sure work across the different areas is joined up. Matters requiring Executive oversight or decisions will be referred to the Executive steering committee, which I chair. We will also continue to track the programme’s costs and the savings and other benefits it delivers.

Thank you for everything you do for our Members, customers and communities, and for one another. Please keep sharing your experiences and suggestions, including through OurCoop: Your Idea. Your ideas can help us find simpler ways of working, make better use of our resources and shape how we work together as one Society.

Best wishes,

Debbie

Sustainability tip

Draught-proofing windows, doors and floors can save a typical household around £55 a year on energy bills.  Get your house winter ready Check around windows, doors and floors for unwanted gaps and consider using draught excluders or sealant where appropriate.  Here’s more details on getting winter ready from Co-op Energy - Get Your Home Ready for Winter | EnergyCoop.

OurCoop: Your Idea gives colleagues the opportunity to share ideas on how we can work smarter, simplify processes, reduce costs and improve the way we do things across our Society. By listening to those who know our business best, we can identify practical changes that make a real difference, helping us become a more efficient and successful OurCoop.

Have an idea? We would love to hear it! Simply complete the OurCoop: Your Idea form here and send us your suggestions. Every idea, big or small, could make a difference.

Sophie Grove, Crime Prevention Manager, said:

"Creating a safe, respectful and welcoming environment for our colleagues, members and customers is incredibly important to us. ShopKind Week is an opportunity to remind everyone of the positive role kindness plays in our stores and to stand together against violence and abuse towards shopworkers."

Colleagues can support the campaign by displaying ShopKind materials in stores and workplaces, sharing campaign messages, and encouraging others to get involved. Store teams are also reminded to continue recording incidents through ShopSafe, including details of any violence, threats or abuse, to help ensure colleagues receive the right support and that we can work effectively with the police to tackle persistent offenders.

If you experience or are affected by an incident, support is available through GroceryAid's 24/7 helpline, the Everymind wellbeing app, HR teams and line managers. Together, we can help create safer stores and support colleagues across our Society.

In addition, OurCoop’s Festive Toy Appeal van will pop-up at selected sites spreading good cheer with festive tasters, good conversation and music, so visitors can stop by to donate while enjoying the spirit of Christmas.

Every donation brings a little hope and happiness for families when they need it most.

Support our Toy Appeal and donate a gift this year.

Together, we can make the season merrier and brighter for everyone.

Find out more here.

Transgender Awareness Week

Each year, from 13 – 19 November, the UK marks Transgender Awareness Week  - a chance to celebrate transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people, whilst recognising the challenges they continue to face.

The week leads up to Transgender Day of Remembrance on 20 November when we remember transgender people whose lives have been lost as a result of anti-transgender violence.

Two short TED Talks worth making time for

Our Pride & Progress network has picked a couple of short TED Talks to help us learn more, hear personal experience and perhaps challenge some of our assumptions.

 ‘A short history of trans peoples’ long fight for equality’

Less than 6 minutes.

Think trans people are a relatively new part of the conversation? Think again, this TED talk explores the global history of trans people and their generations-long fight for equality. An interesting watch that puts today’s conversations into a much wider historical context.

 ‘The Trans Story Includes You’

Personal story from actress Nicola Maines.

Through humour and personal reflection, Nicola shares her experience of growing up as a trans young person. Her story highlights how both the big and the small gestures of acceptance, understanding and support from those around us can make a real difference. A particularly valuable watch for anyone wanting to become a more thoughtful and informed ally.

And finally... a few shots from across our family of businesses on Remembrance. Lest We Forget