Becoming a Director

Our Directors work together to oversee our governance, policy and strategy decisions. 

They're all members who care about the way their local co-op is run. They help shape our future direction, but aren't responsible for the day-to-day operation of our co-op. 

The role of the Board is to ensure the long-term success of our co-op in accordance with the International Co-operative Alliance Statement on Co-operative Identity. The Board is appointed by and accountable to the members who own our co-op. The Board represents the membership, making business decisions in the interests of the members. The Board acts as the custodian of our assets to safeguard the enterprise for the future. 

A co-operative board provides accountable leadership by setting the strategic direction of the enterprise and ensuring it runs efficiently within a framework of prudent and effective controls in line with co-operative values and principles. 

These requirements are set out in our rules here. 

• Attend around 14 Board meetings a year. These are held on-line via Microsoft Teams or in-person at Wherstead Park in Ipswich. Meetings are held either on Saturday morning or mid-week evenings. There are also occasional off-site strategy meetings that might involve overnight stays. 

• Join one of our Board committees. This will involve attendance at a further 4-5 meetings per year. Committees include the Membership and Community Engagement Committee, the Remuneration and Search Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Performance Review Committee. 

• Take part in professional development to meet any individual or collective needs that arise throughout the normal 4-year term of office. 

The eligibility criteria to be a director are set out in our rules here. 

This includes that Directors must have been a member of our co-op for at least two years and mainly live within our trading area. They should also have made purchases of £500 or more per annum with us in each of the two previous Society finanical years. To note, no more than two employees can be on the Board at any one time. 

As part of this year's nomination process, we'll be asking members to provide an outline of the skills, experience and attributes that you would bring to the Board of Directors, including: 

• Board Skills - This relates to the skills needed to oversee the long-term success of a co-operative including providing leadership and setting strategy, ensuring that a framework of prudent and effective controls are in place and monitoring performance at a high level. You could also refer here to your skills and experience in financial management, co-operative governance, people and performance or change management.
   
• Personal Attributes/Knowledge/Experience of a Retail Environment - This section is intended to capture your involvement and passion for the co-operative movement as well as any relevant sector experience. Here you could evidence experience of leadership, analytical thinking and communication. You may also have practical experience of promoting constructive challenge and a culture of openness and debate.
   
• Why do you want to join our Board of Directors?

• Becoming a director gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping to make a difference to your local co-op and your community. 

• Directors also receive a fee (currently in the region of £10,000 per year) and reimbursement of all expenses incurred in the role. 

• Our directors play a key role in the success of our business, and it's a really rewarding experience. You'll meet new people and gain valuable skills, all while helping a local, independent co-operative business to thrive.