For more than 160 years, we have been owned and democratically controlled by our members. The Co-operative is now the largest consumer co-operative in the world, with over six million members, who last year earned more than £16 million in their share of our profits.
Today, our principles of equality and equity are woven through the way we do business, and this includes the Group's approach to the diversity and inclusion of it's people.
We are controlled by members through a governance structure of 49 democratically elected area committees, seven regional boards and a Group Board. Within this structure, an individual can progress from ordinary member to Group Chair.
We were established to serve the interests of customers, members, the community and colleagues. Today, we are more committed than ever to realising our ethical, social and commercial ambitions. This is why we are committed to exceeding our legal obligations to provide an inclusive working environment for all.
We are a highly commercial business for the right reasons. The more successful we are, the more we can give back to our customers and members, and the better we can support and change the wider world.
Of course, success does not come at any price. We do everything for the benefit of our customers and members, we will never do anything to affect this relationship. In fact, we deliver a service that is truly community-based. From the range of food in our stores to the diversity of our people, we aim to be a true reflection of the communities and markets in which we operate.
We aim to engage and harness the uniqueness and talents, beliefs, backgrounds, capabilities and ways of working of individuals, joined in a common co-operative culture, where people can feel valued and respected, and feel able to contribute their best work. We recognise that each individual is unique and has individual differences that include (but are not limited to) gender, pregnancy and maternity, ethnicity, culture, age, physical appearance, physicial and mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, education and family responsibility.
We positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals.
