Society Announcement
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Published 1 Oct 2025 in Colleagues
Earlier today, Phil, our President Irene Kirkman, the CEO of Central Co-op Debbie Robinson and the President of Central Elaine Dean, made the exciting announcement that we are in advanced discussions about a merger between our two Societies.
Our respective Boards are planning to ask our members to consider proposals in the coming weeks, and you can watch the announcement video below.
While it is very much business as usual at the moment, and we know you will continue to do the remarkable job you do, we also know that you will have a lot of questions about what this means. We have provided some FAQs below to give some further information.
We also want you to be able to ask any questions you might have, and Phil and Debbie will be providing regular briefings over the coming weeks, where they will answer these and keep you updated on what is happening.
So, please do send in your questions to ask@midcounties.coop and they will be sent to Phil and Debbie. Your line manager will also be checking in over the next few days should you want to raise any questions with them.
We look forward to discussing more as these exciting plans develop further, but in the meantime please do get in touch.
Colleague FAQs
Why are you making this announcement?
Midcounties and Central Co-op have a long history of co-operation and our Boards and Executive teams have been in discussion for several months about how we can benefit our colleagues and members through even closer ties. As a result, discussions about merging our societies are now at an advanced stage. While discussions are ongoing, we believe that bringing our two societies together in this way would create a stronger and more resilient Society; able to navigate challenging economic headwinds and invest for the future, while providing greater value to our members and communities, and offer more rewarding careers and greater opportunities for development for our colleagues.
What happens next?
We expect that the Boards of Midcounties and Central will put forward proposals to create a new Society in the coming weeks. It will then be for members to choose if they want to accept them. Once confirmed, members will be contacted with information about what they are being asked to vote on, how we will ensure they are fully consulted throughout the process and when the votes will take place.
What does this mean for me?
For now, it is very much business as usual. Keep doing the great job you do serving our members and customers.
Should the merger proposals move forward and then be approved by members, there would be a very considered process of integration as we become one new Society, and you would be kept fully informed throughout.
In the meantime, we want to make sure that every colleague can ask questions you might have. Your Line Managers will be in touch directly, and we will also be hosting colleague briefings over the next few weeks. You can also send questions to the Exec via a special email address and, as CEOs of Central and Midcounties, Debbie and Phil will be holding weekly briefings where they answer these. So please, do send in your questions to ask@midcounties.coop and they will seek to answer everything they can.
How can I find out more information?
We will be providing regular updates through your usual colleague communications channels. Should our Boards choose to move forward with the proposals then you and our members will be the first to know.
We will publish all the relevant information on a dedicated area on Colleagues Connect and you will continue to be able to ask any questions throughout.
When will a decision be made?
Discussions are ongoing and we expect that our Boards will make a decision on whether to propose a merger in the coming weeks. Should that happen then we will ensure that there is enough time for members to consider the proposals and be fully consulted. We will of course keep you updated as soon as any decisions are made.