The East of England Co-op, the largest independent retailer in the region has announced the election of Mandy Errington as President of its Board of Directors. Long-standing Board member John Cook has been elected as Vice-President.
Mandy and John will take on their new roles from 1 January 2026, when the current President, Joy Burnford, will step down from the Board to take on a new opportunity.
Mandy, who currently serves as Vice-President, said: "It's a genuine honour to be taking on this role. I'm deeply committed to strengthening our relationships with our members, supporting the communities we serve, and building on everything that makes the East of England Co-op such a valued and distinctive part of local life."
Recognised as an award-winning entrepreneur, Mandy has successfully run her own fashion boutique for over a decade. She also brings extensive leadership and commercial expertise from her fourteen years at the East of England Co-op, where she previously served as Head of Marketing. Her experience across both community-focused retail and independent business gives her a strong foundation to help guide the Society into its next chapter.
John Cook, who can trace his family's involvement with the Society to his great-grandfather, a baker with the Norwich Co-op, has been elected to the role of Vice-President. John, a local councillor and former Mayor of Ipswich, served as a Director of the Society from 2012 to 2024 before returning to the Board in 2025.
John said: "I'm delighted to become Vice-President and to continue serving a Society that has played such a big part in my family's history and in our local communities."
The East of England Co-op also thanked outgoing President Joy Burnford for her leadership. Joy said: "It has been an enormous privilege to serve as President and to work alongside so many inspiring colleagues and members. I will truly miss being part of the day-to-day work that makes our co-op such a valued part of our communities. As I take on a new opportunity, I look forward to continuing to champion the East of England Co-op from the outside and supporting the Society's ongoing success."
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