Midcounties Co-operative announces Heather Richardson as new Society President

• Heather brings a wealth of business and commercial experience to the role having held the position of Vice-President for the past 5 years

• Vivian Woodell and Irene Kirkman will support Heather as Vice-Presidents of the Society

The Midcounties Co-operative has announced the election of Heather Richardson as the Society’s new President.  She will be supported by Vivian Woodell and Irene Kirkman who have been elected as Vice-Presidents.

Having represented members on the Board for the past six years, five of them as Vice-President, Heather shares the values at the heart of co-operation and will help the Society to deliver on its refreshed purpose to build a fairer, more sustainable and ethical future.

Heather has held a number of significant executive roles, including senior positions across public, private and third-sector organisations. She currently holds the position of Chief Risk Officer at Bromford Housing Group, one of the UK’s largest housing associations, which provides over 47,000 affordable homes for those who can’t access market housing.

In her new role, Heather will be responsible for the leadership of the Board and ensuring that the Society continues to serve the best interests of its members whilst deepening its position as a successful co-operative business. Heather replaces Helen Wiseman, who had served as President since 2017 and remains on the Board of Directors.

Heather Richardson said: “I feel immensely privileged to have been elected as Society President and look forward to working closely with my fellow Board Directors to continue to support and grow Society as a thriving co-operative.

I believe my experience allows me to provide the kind of strategic direction and insight that our members expect of our Board to ensure that we continue to grow our Society in line with co-operative values.”

Midcounties Chief Executive Phil Ponsonby said: “We’re thrilled to have Heather take up the role of President and know that her breadth of experience and deep understanding of co-operative values will help us to continue to grow our Society, deliver for our members and fulfil our purpose to create a fairer, more sustainable and ethical future. I’d also like to thank Helen Wiseman for the support and guidance she has given to me and the entire Midcounties Board during her tenure.”

Midcounties operates the Your Co-op family of services, covering more than 230 Your Co-op Food stores across the West Midlands, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The Society also trades nationally through its Your Co-op Travel, Your Co-op Childcare, Your Co-op Energy and Your Co-op Broadband and Mobile businesses.

To join in and become a member of Midcounties visit the website here.