Our Chief Executive and Leadership team

Andy Rigby - Chief Executive Officer

Andy has been with us since May 2022 and is transforming our Food retail business. Andy is a dynamic and diverse leader, with over 40 years’ experience in senior executive roles across food retail, fast moving consumer goods, wholesale and pharmacy – both in UK, EU and International markets.

Andy also supports and leads a programme of charity foundation work in Gambia to improve local community education.

Jonathan Carey - Society Secretary

Jonathan joined our co-op in 2004 as a retail graduate trainee, before moving into the Secretariat in 2005. Progressing within the department Jonathan was appointed Society Secretary in March 2020.

As Secretary, Jonathan is a trusted advisor to the Board on corporate and co-operative governance - enabling directors to fulfil their legal and regulatory duties and responsibilities in line with the Society’s rules, policies and procedures. Jonathan is a member of Co-operatives UK’s Corporate Governance Expert Reference Panel.

Having grown up on Mersea Island, Jonathan now lives in Colchester with his wife and two daughters.

Stuart McDonald - Chief Property Officer

Stuart is our Chief Property Officer and is responsible for our extensive Property Portfolio and Building Services team. Having re-joined us in 2024, he previously worked at Ipswich Borough Council in a variety of roles, latterly as Interim Assistant Director, Place where he led the strategic direction for Ipswich Borough Council on all property matters. These included successfully securing funding for £25m Towns Fund projects, the conversion of The Botanist in Ipswich and a church into a new music venue. Stuart previously built his property experience with different roles within the East of England Co-op. 

Outside of work, Stuart is a loyal Ipswich Town fan and enjoys exploring East Anglia with his family, as well as playing his guitar.

James Norman - Chief Financial Officer

James joined us in August 2023 as Chief Financial Officer, leading on all financial matters for the society, and in July 2024 also took responsibility for technology, cyber security, data and change.

James is a driven and experienced finance leader, with a broad range of experience across a diverse set of UK and global businesses. He has a track record of utilising financial data to drive improvements in profitability.

Whilst never forgetting his Irish heritage James is happily settled in Norfolk with his wife and young children.

Colin Dixon-Blair - Chief People Officer

A caring and authentic leader, Colin brings a wealth of experience from a career that began in retail with the Arcadia Group’s Topman brand. Over the years, he has held key leadership roles at George at ASDA and Nutmeg at Morrisons, working across international markets including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Mexico. His journey through the industry reflects a passion for people, development, and building inclusive cultures that help businesses — and individuals — thrive. 
 
Outside of work, Colin is a keen traveler and avid gamer with a competitive streak. A lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, he enjoys immersing himself in new cultures and experiences. Family and community are central to Colin’s values, and he is especially proud to be part of a co-operative that places community at its heart. He is also an active member of LGBT UK, championing diversity and inclusion both within and beyond the workplace.

Sam Winter - Chief Retail Officer

An enthusiastic and passionate retail leader, Sam brings over two decades of experience in operational excellence, transformation delivery, and people development to the senior leadership team. With a deep background in food retail and a proven track record of leading high-performing teams across both local and national landscapes, Sam has consistently delivered results by combining strategic insight with hands-on leadership. 

Outside of work, Sam’s creativity and sense of purpose are fuelled by her passion for painting and creating, she enjoys nurturing the garden and watching the plants grow, and also spends time supporting charities in various functional roles.

Simon Dryell - Chief Commercial Officer

Simon is our Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for leading the society’s commercial strategy across its food business. Since joining in 2022, Simon has overseen key improvements in availability, waste reduction, and overall trading performance—introducing innovative approaches such as weather-led demand forecasting to enhance stock accuracy and meet customer needs more effectively. His leadership supports the society’s mission to deliver value to members and communities through a strong and sustainable retail offer. 
 
Bringing over 30 years of experience in the retail and FMCG sectors, Simon has previously held senior commercial and operational roles at Tesco, PepsiCo, and the Co-op Group. His career spans category management, strategic planning, and large-scale regional leadership. Known for building high-performing teams and fostering collaboration, Simon is passionate about delivering results while staying true to the Co-op’s values of community, fairness, and doing good business.