Creating a New Society Podcast - Q&A and Christmas Message

Phil:
Hello I'm Phil Ponsonby, the Chief Executive at Midcounties Co-operative.

Debbie:
Hello. And I'm Debbie Robinson, the CEO at Central Co-op. And I hope that you're all keeping safe and well.

Phil:
Welcome back to our podcast series. This week we wanted to answer some of the questions you've been submitting. Because obviously there's been more coming in and we want to cover those off this week.

Debbie:
That's right. Phil, since the recent announcements where we confirmed the new interim Board, the President, Vice Presidents and CEO roles, the questions have really started to roll in. So let's get started with the first of those. Phil, one of the questions regards representation from trade unions, specifically around USDAW. So could you just help colleagues understand which unions we’re working with and the role that they're playing on integration?

Phil:
Yes, certainly. Both societies made the decision to work exclusively with USDAW, which is the shop workers’ trade union. We've established relationships over many years with USDAW. That ensures a consistent channel of communication with that one trade union partner. It means that decisions can be made faster. That collaboration, that consultation process is easier to run.

And of course, USDAW have a great understanding of the two societies, having worked with us for such a long time. And what's really important in that relationship is that it is two way. So we will obviously brief USDAW, consult with them, inform them on the thinking around integration going forward, and they will come back to us and give us their response.

They will consult their members who are our colleagues, and ensure that all of the questions that are on colleagues’ minds are answered through that relationship with USDAW. So it’s a really important relationship. And obviously we've worked that way for some time, and we'll be working that way through this merger integration. And we expect that to continue to be a very positive and constructive relationship.

Debbie:
It's brilliant. Isn't it great that we do have a real partnership in our trade union representation that really helps us support our colleagues through all of this. Absolutely. Thanks Phil.

Phil:
So this next question is quite an interesting one, quite a personal question as well for both of us, I feel. The question says that at the recent members meeting, it was said that we won't require two CEOs, two CFOs, etc., etc. So what's the process behind having two CEOs?

Debbie:
Well, I suppose we set ourselves up for that one, didn't we, Phil. So I just want to assure everybody of the care and attention that we've put into the integration process so far. We've been really ably supported by our colleagues in our people teams. And we took what was really an unusual decision, I have to say, to actually maintain the two CEOs in the business.

And we did that for a number of reasons. Firstly, we know each other very well. We've worked incredibly well together, and we have been instrumental in bringing us to this point in time. So we've got all of that continuity. At the same time, we've really been working closely with PwC external consultants to work on the business case and really to understand the process of integration.

They are very expensive. Both you and I, Phil, have been involved in a number of integrations throughout our careers, and probably the biggest would have been the integration of Somerfield. So we felt that we have the right level of expertise between us. That gives us continuity, but also it's incredibly pragmatic from a cost perspective because, with all due respect, you cost a bit less than PwC do.

Phil:
Pleased to hear it!

And of course, I mean, it's fair to say, however, that the integration programme is time limited. It won't go on forever. So the Society is not going to need two CEOs forever. I think that's quite clear, isn’t it?

Debbie:
Absolutely.

Phil:
Yes. And of course today there's been some further announcements about leadership for the new Society.

Debbie:
Absolutely, Phil. So we have been sharing with you as much information as we can as soon as we can, so you've had real clarity about the interim Board, the Presidency, the Vice Presidency and the CEOs. And today I announced the future Executive team.

Phil:
Yes, and it’s a pleasure for me to confirm the leaders of the workstreams within the integration team. So it's not a full integration team, but it is the individuals that will be leading the various workstreams across the integration team. And so very exciting and great to be able to confirm those positions today.

Debbie:
Absolutely. And we are so looking forward to working with all the colleagues in creating this wonderful new Society for the future. But we want to be really clear with you: we will not be making any more people announcements prior to the official date of the 26th of January 2026.

The next question follows on from the CEO question, and it's about integration. Will the integration team be made up of Executives, or will there be opportunities for colleagues to step forward and be involved in that really important and terribly exciting opportunity of integrating two great societies?

Phil:
Yeah, absolutely. Obviously it's early days still. We're in the planning stages of integration, so we won't actually start the integration until the merger is completed on the 26th of January. So right now we're just working on the planning. And that includes the makeup of the integration team and the workstreams that make that integration team.

And indeed, there’ll be members of the Exec involved. I’ll obviously be leading that integration team. There’ll be other members involved, but my expectation is that there’ll be opportunities for colleagues across our organisations to get involved with that integration. Whether that's on a semi-permanent basis through a secondment, full time, or whether it's working on a part-time basis with the integration team, attending meetings, etc.

So it should be an opportunity for lots of colleagues to get involved. It’s an exciting period. It's going to be hard work and fast paced. Obviously we've got to get on and deliver these integration projects very quickly. But yes, absolutely, and we'll be making those roles and opportunities available over the coming weeks and months.

Debbie:
Brilliant. And I would encourage anyone who's interested in those roles to approach Phil, because certainly from a personal perspective, it's exactly what I did in previous circumstances really similar to this. I learned so much, and they really did act as an accelerant to my career.

Phil:
Yeah. And as you said, it's great that we can build these teams from within rather than looking to outsource. I mean, there will be some expertise needed to supplement the integration team, but our hope is that the majority of the people involved in this integration will be from within the two societies.

Debbie:
Brilliant.

Phil:
So there are some really important questions there — big questions, aren’t they. And I think they're the sorts of things that are on colleagues’ minds. It's great that the questions keep coming in. Colleagues might be forgiven for turning their attention to Christmas right now, because we're only a week or so away.

But it's great that the questions keep coming in. And I think it is a time to reflect, given that it is Christmas time. It's always a great opportunity to look back on the year that's just gone. And what a year it's been. The year's gone really fast, but it's been significant in so many ways.

You look at the outside world — there's conflict, there's suffering. And in those times it's always important that we reflect and that we are thankful for what we have. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are: lucky in terms of the jobs we have, the organisations we work for, our brilliant co-operatives, the great colleagues we work with, our families, and the support we get from them.

From me personally, I just wanted to say to all of our colleagues that have listened to these podcasts — and perhaps some of my vlogs before that — thank you for your time, for listening, for sending your questions in, and more than anything, thank you for your brilliant support over the last 12 months.

As we go into the Christmas season, I know some of you will be working over Christmas, as you do every year, putting in brilliant effort — whether that's in our food stores, booking holidays from Boxing Day onwards, caring for children in our nurseries, or supporting loved ones through our funeral businesses.

So right across our organisations, colleagues will be continuing to work. But it is a time for reflection, and more than anything, a time to say thank you. Whatever you're doing this Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful, restful, peaceful time, and get to spend time with your families, friends, and loved ones.

Debbie:
How wonderful. Phil and I would just like to build on that and thank each and every one of our colleagues for the amazing job that you've done this year. As Phil said, what a year it has been — on a global scale and for us as co-operative societies.

So much we've had to face, some of it very challenging. But to end this year on such a positive note — the coming together of two superb independent co-operative societies to create a new Society for the future — we couldn't be more optimistic about what lies ahead and the opportunities before each and every one of us.

We know that Christmas is a really busy time, both at work and at home. So please take a moment to care for yourself as well as looking out for each other. We wish you much peace and happiness over the festive period, and we very much look forward to a wonderful 2026. Thank you.

Phil:
So that's it for this week's updates. Don't forget, over the next week or so you'll be hearing from colleagues with their festive messages. You'll also hear from the two societies’ Presidents with their New Year messages. And you have one day left to submit your festive message if you want to do so — so make sure you get it in before time runs out.

Debbie:
Oh, brilliant. Please send those video clips in. I've loved the colleagues podcast — I've really learned so much, and they're so brilliant at it. There's a lot for us to learn.

Phil:
So that just leaves us to say Happy Christmas and a—

Debbie:
Wonderful 2026.