Southern Co-op

Following approval from members in May, Southern Co-op has formally transferred into Siena Co-operative Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Co-operative Group. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, bringing together two organisations with more than 300 years of combined co-operative heritage and a shared commitment to delivering greater value for members, customers, colleagues and communities. The transaction remains subject to Competition and Markets Authority approval but in the meantime, it's business as usual, with Southern Co-op continuing to operate separately and with no immediate changes for members, colleagues, suppliers or communities. Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/ehxGntwq

We have an opportunity to join our team during a pivotal period of transformation. If you're an experienced risk leader looking for a high-impact interim role, or know someone who would be a great fit, please get in touch.

Our Members have voted to join forces with Co-op Group. Over 16,091 members voted – significantly more than the first vote – demonstrating strong engagement from our members in Southern Co-op’s future. This represents an important milestone, giving us a clear mandate to progress our plan to join forces for the benefit of members, colleagues and communities across the UK, while preserving the heritage and legacy of Southern Co-op and all that it stands for. There are still some regulatory steps to complete before we become part of Co-op Group, which we expect to be completed at the end of July. In the meantime, members will still be able to use their Southern Co-op card, accessing the same benefits as usual and our stores and funeral homes will continue operating normally. We will keep you updated as we move through the next stages of the process.

At the Special General Meeting of Southern Co-operative Limited held on 6th May, Members voted in favour of the Special Resolution to transfer engagements of the Society to a subsidiary of The Co-operative Group. 97.07% of members who voted supported the proposal, with 13,361 votes cast.   The strong turnout reinforces the value of member engagement and active participation in cooperative governance.   This is the first step in the proposal to join forces with The Co-op Group and create a co-operative society with greater scale, resilience and impact for members, customers, colleagues and communities across the UK.    Members will now be asked to vote at a second Special General Meeting on 21st May on a 2nd resolution to confirm the transfer, as required under the relevant legislation.   While the outcome of the first vote is encouraging, the 2nd resolution vote is equally critical and we welcome our members’ continued support and engagement.    Please contact us via memberquestions@southerncoops.co.uk if you have any questions on the proposal. https://lnkd.in/dHkmw4mZ

The Boards of Southern Co-op and Co-op Group have announced proposals to join forces, creating a society with greater scale, resilience and impact for members, customers, colleagues and communities across the UK. The proposal, which is approved by both Boards, is subject to approval by Southern Co-op members and regulatory clearance. Coming together should create a Group with: - Combined sales of circa £11.5bn - Over 7.5 million members - Over 2,500 food stores, 800 funeral homes, six crematoria and natural burial grounds, and a significant funeral planning, legal and insurance business. Janet Paraskeva, Chair of Southern Co-op Board, said: "The Board of Southern Co-op believes this proposal represents the best path forward for Southern Co-op. We are now asking our members to consider it and have their say. This is their decision, and we are committed to providing all the information they need to make an informed choice about the future of their co-operative." Ben Stimson, CEO of Southern Co-op said: “The Co-operative Group shares our values and our commitment to democratic membership, ethical sourcing and fair reward, as well as our dedication to supporting local communities. By coming together, we can secure the co-operative future of Southern Co-op as part of a stronger combined Co-op Group, whilst creating an even stronger voice nationally and internationally to advance the co-operative cause.”

It’s National Apprenticeship Week! 🎉 At Southern Co-op, our internal apprenticeships support colleagues across our business to achieve their goals and complete additional training that aligns to what they’re passionate about. Over the past year, 67 colleagues across our Retail, End of Life Services and Head Office teams have started an apprenticeship, and many have gone on to higher level training to progress their careers. Here are just a few of our brilliant team’s success stories ✨ Jo Anne Fudge ➡️ Jo has been with Southern Co-op since 2005 and now manages our Wimborne store. After finishing our Believe Programme, she's completing a Level 5 Coaching Apprenticeship while mentoring aspiring Store Managers and new learners – proving that development never stops, even 20 years into your career. Sasha Mander ➡️ After starting in store, Sasha joined our head office team as a Visual Marketing Assistant. Now taking part in a Level 3 Multi Channel Marketer apprenticeship, she uses her frontline experience to create engaging in-store materials. Blaize Harvey ➡️ Alongside Sasha, Blaize is completing a Level 3 Multi Channel Marketer apprenticeship. Her retail experience helps shape in-store activations, including supplier-funded displays, which will be launching this year. We can’t wait to see where Jo Anne, Sasha, and Blaize take their roles and look forward to welcoming more colleagues to our apprenticeships over the coming months. #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #Apprenticeships

This Christmas Day, a number of our stores across the South will open for a short time to give our communities a helping hand with last-minute, festive essentials. The initiative has been driven by our store teams, with colleagues volunteering to work a paid Christmas Day shift to support their customers. From forgotten ingredients to extra treats for surprise guests, batteries for new toys or just enjoying a friendly interaction with locals, our team members will be helping customers while spreading festive cheer on the big day. It’s a brilliant example of our co-operative values in action at one of the busiest times of the year. Participating stores and opening hours are available here https://lnkd.in/e8dA8tzs and will also be shared on our store locator. A huge thank you to all our colleagues who continue to support the communities we serve. #WeAreSouthernCoop #Community #CoopValues #HereForYou #Christmas

Recently, our recruitment team, including Stefanie Murphy and Tracey Boschat, joined our partners Fedcap and the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) at the House of Commons to mark four years of their Restart Programme, which provides tailored support to those looking to re-enter the workforce. The event brought together participants of the programme, as well as Fedcap's Director of Operations, Susan Paterson FIEP, who led a panel discussion discussing recent participant’s journeys and the support that helped them move back into work. Through our support of the programme, we're committed to championing inclusive employment, with a focus on: 💼 Breaking down barriers that prevent people from accessing work 🌱 Helping people build confidence and develop practical skills 🤝 Creating opportunities within our business for people to move forward in their careers 👥 Strengthening diversity across our workforce It was inspiring for our team to hear directly from participants and connect with other organisations involved in the programme. We're proud to be a partner to this initiative and looking forward to strengthening our relationship in the year ahead. #RestartProgramme #Inclusion #Diversity #EmploymentSupport #SocialMobility

Helping bring oysters back to the Solent! Yesterday, a team of volunteers from our head office rolled up their sleeves with Final Straw Foundation CIO to scrub, measure and weigh native oysters, each one destined for a new home in marinas across the Solent. Once a cornerstone of Solent life, native oysters have declined by around 95%, leaving behind only the traces of old oyster beds scattered along the shore. Restoring them is about more than bringing back a species, it’s about rebuilding entire ecosystems which will benefit generations to come. Why it matters: 🦪 Oysters filter up to 200 litres of water a day 🌱 They boost biodiversity and support marine life 💧 They reduce pollutants and stabilise sediment 🌊 They help keep our coastal waters clearer and cleaner A huge thank you to everyone who took part #HabitatRestoration #Sustainability #NatureRecovery #Volunteering