Board and its Committees
The Board you elect and can stand for yourself, that sets the strategy for the Society and works with the leadership team who run OurCoop day to day.
Board of Directors
Elected by and accountable to Members. Any Member is actively trading with our family of businesses and has been a Member for six months or more, can stand. If you are interested in standing for the OurCoop Board, applications will open mid-2027.
OurCoop is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by and from our Members. The Board works closely with the Executive team to set the Society’s strategic direction and oversee its performance.
The Board is responsible for holding the Executive team to account for the day-to-day performance and management of the Society, while also supporting the Executive team in delivering our strategic objectives and priorities.
The Board ensures that the Society’s affairs are conducted in accordance with its Rules and in the best interests of the Society and its Members. It also ensures that we operate in accordance with the internationally recognised Co-operative Values and Principles.
The Board currently comprises 20 Directors as part of the transitional governance arrangements.
If you’d like to contact a Board Director, please contact the Secretariat team at secretarial.office@ourcoop.co.uk
Elaine Dean
President
Irene Kirkman
Vice-President
Richard Bickle
Vice-President
Ornella Shaw
Director
Jane Avery
Director
Marc Bicknell
Director
Ellie Boyle
Director
Becci Britland
Director
Bob Burlton
Director
Bernadette Connor
Director
Maryann Denfhy
Director
Amanda Gallie
Director
Maria Lee
Director
Paul Mather
Director
Sue Rushton
Director
Brad Tuckfield
Director
Valerie Watson
Director
Helen Wiseman
Director
Janson Woodall
Director
Vivian Woodell
Director
Executive Leadership team
Running OurCoop day to day, and answerable to the Board Members elect.
Deborah Robinson
Chief Executive Officer
Selina Butterfield-Mashoofi
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Product Officer
Matthew Heslop
Chief Food Officer
Ian Adderley
Society Secretary
Michelle Cemm
Chief People Officer
Angela Daulby
Interim Specialist Businesses Operations Officier
Committees
Specialist scrutiny on behalf of Members
Our Board organises its work through a number of Committees, each with a specific role in helping the Board fulfil its duties and responsibilities and ensuring that OurCoop is governed effectively.
Our current Committees are:
Remuneration Committee
Audit & Risk Committee
Membership and Community Strategy Committee
Search Committee
Conduct Committee
The Board has also created a Governance Review Working Group comprised of 8 Directors and an independent Chair to oversee the Society Governance Review.
The current Committee structure will be considered as part of the Society governance review. As part of this review, we are looking at how our Committees can best support the effective governance of OurCoop and reflect the needs of our members.
The new governance structures will be put to members for approval in January 2027. Until then, OurCoop will continue to operate under the transitional Board and Committee arrangements.