Board of Directors

Graham Jeffery

President

My motivation to become a Director was to offer my lifetime of experience as a previous supplier in Community retailing to a locally owned business.

My passion for co-operation stems from the ability for smaller businesses to access collective benefits of a much larger/stronger organisation and also the interaction with local communities.

My advice to someone who wanted to join the Board would be to have a genuine interest in the business and the Co-operative movement, use your particular skills and be committed to give your time.

The expertise I bring to the Board is my ability to interact with Directors and CEO’s of other Society’s and promote Radstock Co-operative Society.

In terms of my favourite Co-op product I don’t have one favourite, but love the Fair Trade range.

Jeremy Fricker

Vice president

I was motivated to join the Board of Directors as I had worked for the society for over 26 years, within the Society in different roles and also reporting to the Board of Directors on a regular basis.

After leaving the Society I was fortunate enough to work as an area manager and gained even more knowledge to put myself in a better position to join the Board.

The advice I would give anyone that was interested in joining the Society as a Director is to ask themselves ‘what can I give from my experiences’ and not for self-interest, but to help ensure the Society  is left in a better position.  We are all custodians for the future of the business and its staff.

I have great memories of the co-op one being my favourite co-op item co-op 99 tea both loose and later bags as my father was a heavy tea drinker and the teapot was never cold.

Suzanne Burgess

Director

As the 4th generation member of the historic Radstock Co-operative Society, I was compelled to become a Director to reinforce and embed the true purpose and vision of the co-operative movement, building on the foundation of more than 150 years serving and supporting the local community and valuing its members rights.

During my time as Director, I have contributed to the Board using my financial services experience in which I have worked for the past 36 years.

I admire the support the co-operative movement gives to the Fairtrade Foundation, making a difference to Fairtrade farmers and workers to strengthen their business and communities.

Craig Doughty

Director

I wanted to join the Board after I had worked from being a trolley collector on a Saturday morning, all the way up to a Store manager position and witnessing the amazing things the co-op movement can do. My advice for someone interested in being a Board member is simple! Go for it, as long as you have the Co-op at heart. My favourite Co-op product are the Co-op Truly Irresistible Cookies.

Eleanor Jackson

Director

I volunteered to stand as a Director in 2023. The co-operative principles align well with my personal and political beliefs. I have represented Radstock on Bath and North East Somerset Council and more recently Westfield. I have spent 16 years on the B&NES Planning Committee so have specialist knowledge of the system and unashamedly want to see the cornerstone store, offices and dwellings built on the former RADCO superstore site. I am the little old lady at the bus stop representing member opinion so that the co-operative services can be improved.

Jonathan Rich

Director

I wanted to become a Director to learn more about the Society and the wider co-operative movement and how we can make a difference by working together for all.

The co- operative values strongly align with my own.

The advice I would offer someone interested in joining the Board of Directors would be to find out all you can. If you are passionate about the co-operative movement and want to make a difference locally, nothing can be more fulfilling.

Through my experiences I am able to bring many qualities from different aspects of my life, which I believe makes a positive contribution in the Boardroom.

When asked which Co-op product I you enjoy the most I always say that the irresistible range is second to none – an amazing group of products which offer value for money with exceptional quality.

Lynda Robertson

Director

I was motivated to become a Director as, all my life, I have been a keen fan of the Co-operative movement. The fact that ‘ordinary’ people worked hard to help ‘ordinary’ people is wonderful and the help that the Society gives to so many local organisations is fantastic.

Having spent most of my life self-employed in business and the last 13 years on my local Town Council, I believe my experience is valuable to the Society.

Chris Warren

Director

Working for the Society gave me a great insight into the key values and these aligned with my views. I was motivated to join the Board as I wanted to support these and help the Society grow and develop.

The thing I appreciate most about co-operative business is that I believe it gives you a sense of belonging and you always know you are surrounded by like-minded people.

If you are interested in joining the Board, make sure you understand what you are applying for and put your skills and abilities that you can bring to the Board front and centre.

I feel with my experiences I have been able to assist in driving the Society forward in my area of expertise, certainly with the digital transformation and my financial background has helped in the pension and audit spaces.

The Texan BBQ pizza is my favourite Co-op product

Derek Roberts

Director

I believe in the co-ops principles, Firstly the co-op is owned by the members, for the benefit of members – not corporate shareholders.

When I joined the Society back in 2012 we had approximately 9 stores, I am very proud to say that in 2024 we now have 21 stores with the good possibility of more to come.

I believe if you become a Director of the Radstock Co-operative Society your aim is to leave it stronger than when you started. I am also very proud of how our membership has grown as the business has grown. It prides me to be a part of a Society that is one of very few that possess its own farm to produce local produce.

I would encourage other members to think about becoming a Director if their values and opinions align with the co-operative values.