Our Future Plans - Q&A with Debbie & Phil

Debbie Robinson:
Hello there everyone. I hope you're keeping safe and well. I'm Debbie Robinson, the Chief Executive at Central Co-op.

Phil Ponsonby:
And I'm Phil Ponsonby, the Chief Executive at Midcounties Co-op. Welcome back to our series of podcasts.

Debbie:
Earlier today, we were over at the Little Pioneers Nursery School. What a wonderful treat that was. We're actually pre-recording the next session here on the same day.

Phil:
And why are we doing that?

Debbie:
Well, we've heard from colleagues — mainly from Central — since we’re quite new to podcasting. On Fridays, our teams felt it would be better if they had more time during the week to digest the messages.

So what we've decided is that the nursery podcast edition will go out on Friday, but that will be the last Friday you'll be hearing from both of us. The following week, the messages are going to go out on a Tuesday. Hence, we’re pre-recording — slightly ahead of the game.

Phil:
Two episodes in one day!

Debbie:
That’s right. And actually, on that basis, we’re recording this on the 28th of October. But today is the 4th of November, which means that last night we would have had the first of our member information question-and-answer sessions.

Phil:
This week we’ve got a whole series of those meetings, and I’ll be updating on them next week in terms of how they’ve gone. They’re really important meetings — the first run-through for Midcounties Co-op.

The Board are leading those meetings. Our President, Irene Kirkman, will be chairing, supported by our Vice Presidents and other Board members. I’ll be there to lend my support and answer questions as well.

But mainly, they are being led by the Board because they were elected by the members. This is the members’ meeting — their votes are what will count in the end. It’s great that the Board are making those commitments to lead.

Debbie:
Brilliant. That’s real co-operative democracy in action — glad it’s alive and well for sure.

So tell me, Phil — one of the questions coming from both societies is around the voting process. You could have been a member for a long time and never had the opportunity to vote on such an important issue.

The specific question is: how will members be able to vote? Do they have to be there in person? Can they join online? And if they join online, can they still vote?

Phil:
The important meetings take place in the week commencing 17th November. The formal Midcounties Co-op meeting will be on the 17th, in the evening, at Warwick — and it will also be online. Any member can join that meeting online, regardless of where they are. They’ll be able to ask questions and vote on the evening.

I believe the same will be the case for your meeting on the Wednesday evening, and again on the 2nd of December when we have our final meeting. Exactly the same — in person or hybrid — members can join online, ask questions, and vote.

Debbie:
Yes, absolutely. We have members and businesses all over the country, so we recognise the practicalities involved. We don’t want to prevent any member from exercising their democratic right in this really important decision.

Phil:
Brilliant. So that’s clear — you can either attend in person, ask questions and vote, or you can join online, ask questions and vote.

Debbie:
Absolutely.

Phil:
One thing we should clarify is that there will not be any postal ballots. While in general elections for Boards members have been able to cast votes by post, that is not within the societies’ rules for these decisions.

So it’s important that members attend either in person or online to exercise their democratic right — but not via post.

Debbie:
That’s really clear. Some members who’ve been involved longer may be used to postal votes, but in these circumstances there will be none, as the rules of both societies don’t permit them.

Phil:
Absolutely right.

Debbie:
So there you go. I’ll be here next week to update you on how our members’ meetings have gone — real democracy in action. As co-ops should operate — feeding back what our members have said, their concerns, and their levels of support for the merger. Really important events this week for Midcounties Co-op.

Phil:
And, Debbie, why won’t you be here next Tuesday — leaving me on my own?

Debbie:
Oh, Phil, you’ll be fine, I’m sure. I’ll be in Doha. This just illustrates the global extent of the co-operative movement.

As most of you know, this year — 2025 — the UN designated as the International Year of Co-operatives. What a fantastic opportunity!

One great outcome from this year’s celebration has been the creation of the CM50 — that’s where the top 50 co-ops from across the world have come together. I’ve been asked to speak at the closing ceremony of the UN Year of Co-operatives to talk about creating an “ethical Amazon” — a Co-op-to-Co-op platform where we can trade on a global level.

Initially, it’ll be business-to-business, but it has the potential to reach our members and customers across the globe.

While preparing that presentation, here are a few facts I’d like to share: the value of the co-operative economy is worth four times as much as Amazon. A powerful fact — and probably little known, even within the movement.

Imagine bringing together the great idea of co-operation — which spread almost 200 years ago without modern technology — and applying digitalisation to it. Together, we could have something really special for our future.

Phil:
That’s absolutely amazing. There are some huge co-operative businesses across the world. When I was involved in CM50 too, I met organisations from South America, India, Japan — huge co-ops. Our economy is huge, but we’re perhaps not making the most of it collectively.

Such an important event you’re attending — I wish I could be with you. I’ve obviously got matters here to deal with, but we’ll be thinking of you and wishing you the best with your presentation.

Debbie:
Thanks very much, Phil.

Well, I really hope you’re finding these podcasts helpful. Let’s just recap what we’ve covered so far — and remind everyone that the topics have been generated by questions coming through to both societies.

Please keep those questions coming, and we’ll do our best to answer as many as we can.

In the first episode, we talked about job security. In the second, we covered member investments. The third episode was about colleague benefits and the differences between the two societies.

We also learned a lot about Little Pioneers and the fantastic work done in early years education.

And just to remind everyone — from next week, the podcasts will go out on a Tuesday, giving colleagues time to talk and hopefully generate more questions for the future.

Phil:
That’s right. Having recorded one of the podcasts at our Little Pioneers nursery, we’ll also be visiting each other’s food stores, funeral homes, and travel branches to keep the momentum going and to focus on our different businesses.

So when you’re thinking about your questions, really do cover the range so we can include them in future podcasts.

As Debbie says — thanks for listening, and thanks for your great questions.