Meet ... Our newest Board Directors
As a member owned co-operative business, our members have the chance each year to vote in the election of our Board of Directors.
Last year voting took place for the election of four Board Director positions and here we get to meet the successful candidates
John Chillcott – Eastern Constituency
John lives in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and is a Managing Director. He won election to our Board in 2018 for the first time.
“I am proud to be able to help and support Central England Co-op be successful and offer future generations a similar opportunity.
“I believe I can make a good contribution to the Board’s business strategy and commercial decision making and help the Society to become even more successful and co-operative.
“Our success can create social value in our communities. We can lead with co-operative projects in education, health, welfare, industry and commerce that extend our reach.”
Jane Avery – Central Constituency
Jane lives in Markfield, Leicester, and works as a Business Advisor. She was re-elected to the Board after first being elected in 2015.
“Our Co-op makes a real positive impact, providing members with first class goods and services and I support the strategy to expand our community retailing because I know that is what our members want – a local co-op.
“It is vital that our Society continues to be commercially successful - for all our colleagues both past and present - and to continue to support hundreds of community initiatives via the Community Dividend Fund and continue paying dividend to members.
“As a Board member, my decision making is based on doing the right thing, not just doing things right. I think it is a winning formula for the Society.”
Sue Rushton – Western Constituency
Sue lives in Burton on Trent and is a Chartered Certified Accountant. She was re-elected to the Board after first being elected in 2015.
“I strongly believe in honesty, ethics and co-operative values and principles as the backbone of what we do at the Society. I am passionate about health, community and environmental issues including Fairtrade.
“Profitability, so vital for our Society’s future, must not be at the expense of members, the environment or our local communities.
“I believe in putting the interests of fellow Central England Co-op members at the forefront of the decisions we make as a Board of Directors.”
Tanya Noon – Central Constituency
Tanya lives in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and works as a Member & Community Relations Officer for Central England Co-op. She was re-elected to the Board as an Employee Director.
“I want to be part of an effort that will push the Society’s future plans based on co-operative values and principles for the benefit of the business.
“I feel it is our role as Board members to be passionate about promoting our unique difference and how co-operatives play a key role in the economy.
“I am particularly keen to promote co-operation with younger people and want our democracy to appeal to future generations.”
The successful candidates from the 2018 Board of Directors elections will serve for a term of three years.
Jim Watts, Society Secretary, said: “On behalf of the Society, I would like to thank all members who voted in our Board elections and also thank all of the candidates who put themselves forward.
“We are pleased to have seen an encouraging increase in the number of members voting in the elections, which highlights the importance of democratic participation in a member owned business”.
“We welcome John and welcome back Jane, Sue and Tanya who will join the existing Directors in working with Chief Executive Martyn Cheatle and the executive team in shaping the future direction and strategy of the business on behalf of our members.”
“Central England Co-op would also like to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to unsuccessful candidate and former Director Graeme Watkins who has served since 2014 and before that was a Board member of Anglia Regional Co-operative Society.”
Find out more about the Board of Directors by visiting www.members.coop