The Co-operative College - a different kind of College for a different kind of business

The Co-operative College - Governance

Board of Governors

The Co-operative College is governed by a Board of Governors comprising members drawn from a variety of College stakeholders including the Co-operative and Mutual sector, Higher Education and the College staff and student bodies. The Board, which meets 6 times annually, reports to the Board of Directors of Co-operativesUK in its capacity as Trustee of the Co-operative College. The Board operates within the statutory governing framework of the Instrument and Articles of Government and the Trust Scheme.

Current Board members are:

Board of Governors
Member Name Membership Category
Paul Sommerfeld Chair
Ed Mayo Trustee Member
Robin Stewart Trustee Member
Jenny de Villiers Trustee Member
Richard Scott Trustee Member
Adrienne Lowe Consumer Co-operative Movement
Elaine Dean Consumer Co-operative Movement
David Rodgers Vice Chair - Other Co-operative Sector
Bhagwanji Chohan Student Member
Stephen Galjaard Co-opted Member
Russell Gill Co-opted Member
Mervyn Wilson Chief Executive & Principal
Nigel Todd Adult and Lifelong Learning
Doug Bourn Higher Education
Bob Wolfson Other Co-operative Sector
Samantha Lacey Staff Member

The College Board of Governors is pleased to receive expressions of interest from people within the Co-operative, Mutual and Education Sectors whose skills and experience can add value to the work of the Board, and assist the College in meeting its charitable objectives.

Strategic Plan

The College regularly reviews and publishes its Strategic Plan. The latest version for the period 2009 - 2011 is available to download in pdf format.

Annual Report for 2008

In his introduction to the 2008 College Annual Report, David Gibson CBE, Chair of the Board of Governors said:

"This report demonstrates the progress of the College throughout 2008. The College expanded its range of activities during challenging economic conditions, and laid the foundations for significant growth during the coming year.

The global financial crisis has provided powerful proof of the contemporary relevance of co-operation and mutuality, and the College’s pioneering work over the years and programmes that highlight co-operative identity and values means that it is now in a
strong position to support co-operative and mutual enterprises in this difficult environment.

The College developed new activities in all four of its key areas of operation: developing members and managers, working with schools and young people, learning from our heritage and working with co-operatives globally.

In its work with managers, employees and members of co-operatives, the College established capacity to provide a wide range of vocational learning programmes in partnership with co-operative enterprises and the Learning and Skills Council.

At the same time the College’s work with schools and young people expanded, particularly through the level of interest in co-operative trust schools – the ROCHDALE project to safeguard and develop the movement’s heritage moved forward – and the College’s global footprint is evidenced by work in over twenty countries.

The Board and Trustee record their sincere thanks to all College staff and associates for their work which has ensured the progress reported."

For more details of the College's achievements in 2008 please click the following link to download the Annual Report in pdf format.

Archive of Annual Reports.

Previous year's reports are available for you to view in pdf format.

For further information please contact us by email.