Global Innovation Coop Summit, Co-op Congress & Co-op Fortnight

Continuing the visits, today I had the chance to visit Rose Hill Nursery with Childcare Chief Operating Officer, Sally Bonnar. Meeting new manager Sophie Lewis who has been with us for a few months now as well as presenting colleague Rama Thebe with her 15-year service. It was very warm, but all the children were in the garden under a large parasol to help!

I also got to meet colleague Jordanne Collins from Oxford Station Nursery who has been with us 18 months having joined during the pandemic. She has been doing a great job in supporting the Rosehill Nursery before and whilst the new manager settled in. The nursery will soon be relocating to a temporary building later this year to allow for works to the station and reformat of the nursery.

There are many exciting plans in store for Childcare on the horizon, including refurbishments and the brand-new Warwick Gates nursery opening this September. It was great to be out and meet many colleagues and see how our practices really do make a real difference to our children and parents. 

Global Innovation Coop Summit – callout to colleagues

Young people are the future of Midcounties and I believe that continual investment and development are required for them to succeed in the long term. That’s why we continue to support and develop our colleagues into various roles across Midcounties. The Global Innovation Summit provides another great opportunity for this, so I am proud to announce the launch of a fantastic new competition exclusively for colleagues under 30.

Three lucky colleagues will have the opportunity of joining me in representing Midcounties at September’s Global Innovation Coop Summit in Paris, the event will aim to address new trends in the fields of social, technological and managerial innovation. By discussing innovative ideas, it aims to inspire, promote and foster the development of cooperative enterprises around the globe including our very own, Midcounties.

To be in with a chance to attend this prestigious event visiting one of Europe’s most exciting cities and a great development opportunity too, we would like to hear from you.

Have you got a great idea that can change Midcounties?

To enter, you’ll need to come up with an idea which could be something like a new product, range or service we could provide to our members that would make their lives less complicated & more rewarding in their day-to-day. So, if you have a great idea get involved. Colleagues can win their place by taking part in a “Dragons Den” style pitch.

If this sounds of interest to you, then find out more here where you can register to join in. A fantastic opportunity for our young colleagues to get involved in. Please help spread the word to your fellow colleagues.

Co-op Congress and Co-op Fortnight next week

Today marks the beginning of Co-op Congress. Held as a hybrid event in Birmingham on 17 & 18 June, it brings together many different Co-ops from across the country by helping to build a fairer economy to share ideas, inspiration and to take action.

During the event, we will have a range of representation, with members of the Board, Member Engagement Committee; Young Co-operators Network; EmbRACE Group & the Executive all attending. With Mike Pickering, Head of Sustainability & Michaela Cryar, Head of Product and Origination at Younity, part of a panel at Congress discussing Co-ops and climate action. With sustainability top of the agenda, they will highlight our work in encouraging younger members to be involved in community energy through Powershare; discuss the work larger Co-op Societies are undertaking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage greater participation across all Societies in our own ‘1 Change’ campaign.

With the end of the Congress, marks the beginning of Co-op Fortnight from 20 June – 3 July. The annual event celebrating and promoting co-ops, this year the theme is on the diversity of co-ops. We will be highlighting many topics over the next two weeks, so make sure you have a read of the stories on Colleagues Connect, which give a great example of just how important Co-ops are and the great work we do to contribute to the wider co-operative movement. More to come next week.

Lizzie Hieron – Chief Operating Officer, Utilities

Finally, I would like to give a thank you to Lizzie Hieron, Chief Operating Officer, Utilities, who will be leaving us on 30 June. Lizzie has been great in supporting us since she joined in 2020. Influential in integrating our Energy offer with our Phone Co-op services to create a new Utilities Group, this has grown in stature during a difficult pandemic hit period. I wish Lizzie all the best. Going forward, fellow executive colleague, Pete Westall, will retain executive responsibility for Utilities as we continue to work on day-to-day operations for the group.

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