Directorate Change

Co-Operative Group Limited

25 February 2025

 

Co-operative Group Limited

25 February 2025

The Co-operative Group announces new Board appointments

The Co-operative Group (Co-op) is pleased to announce the appointments of Wais Shaifta and Lord Simon Woolley as Independent Non-Executive Directors.

Wais is an expert in digital growth and transformation and his experience in leading technology businesses brings depth of understanding of the role technology plays in delivering more value to member-owners.

Wais is an independent Non-Executive Director at Reach plc, Snappy Shopper and the Gym Group (where he Chairs the Remuneration and Sustainability Committees). Wais is also Senior Independent Trustee at The Football Foundation, England's largest sports charity.

Previously, Wais was the CEO of Push Doctor, which is the largest digital partner to the NHS. Prior to that, Wais held leadership positions in group operations, digital tech, product, business development, M&A and international expansion at Just Eat and Treatwell.

Simon is a leading political and equalities activist, and is currently Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge and the Deputy Vice Chancellor at Cambridge University.

Simon co-founded Operation Black Vote, the internationally renowned campaigning NGO, working with ethnic minorities in the UK to increase understanding of civic society, participation in Parliament and public life, and to promote equality and human rights. Previously, Simon served as an Equality and Human Rights Commissioner, as well as creating and leading the UK Government's pioneering Race Disparity Unit.

Simon currently holds an advisory role with The King's Commonwealth Fellowship Programme, and is a Non-Executive Director of Police Now Ltd and Youth Futures Foundation.

Simon and Wais join the Board as the Board says goodbye to Lord Victor Adebowale and Rahul Powar. Victor will step down from the Board following the next Board meeting in March as he reaches the maximum term for Directors after 9 years on the Board. Rahul is reluctantly stepping down from the Board due to personal reasons after more than 6 years on the Board.

Debbie White, Co-op Group Chair, said: "on behalf of the Co-op Board I am delighted to welcome Simon and Wais. Both Directors bring considerable skills and expertise to the Board at an exciting time as the Co-op focuses on growing its businesses to deliver even more value to its member-owners.

I would also like to extend the Board's gratitude and my own personal thanks to Victor and Rahul for their significant commitment and contribution to the Co-op Group."

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For Co-op Media Enquiries:

Russ Brady, 07880 784442, [e-mail]

About Co-op 

Co-op Group is one of the world's largest consumer co-operatives, with interests across food retail, funerals, insurance, and legal services. Co-op is owned by and run for its 6.2 million members. With over 2,300 food stores and more than 800 funeral homes, Co-op also supplies products to 6,000 other outlets, including those run by independent co-operatives, through its wholesale business, Nisa Retail Limited. 

Employing 54,000 people, Co-op has an annual turnover of over £11 billion and is a recognised leader in social goals and community-led programmes. Co-op exists to meet members' needs and champion the causes they believe in. 

 

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