New Welsh Co-operative Pioneers leading the way

Fourteen modern co-operative pioneers from across Wales have gathered together to participate in a photo-shoot to celebrate the start of Co-operatives Fortnight 2014.

The photo-shoot mirrors a photograph of the original Rochdale Pioneers co-operative taken around 150 years ago. Each of the ‘modern pioneers’ is involved in a dynamic co-operative or employee owned business which, between them deliver a range of vastly different products and services across Wales. From manufacturing to training, retail, communications, pubs and football clubs, co-operatives are still pioneers within their sectors so many years after the start of the movement.

The co-operative pioneers of 2014 operate at the heart of their businesses and organisations and believe that co-operatives have an important role to play in supporting communities and developing the economy of Wales.

Today the co-op sector in the UK is worth around £37bn per year and employs roughly 235,000 people. In Wales the sector is worth around £1.54bn per year and employs in the region of 11,000 people but many within the movement believe the sector offers even more potential for growth.

Derek Walker is Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre, Wales’ main agency supporting co-operative and social business development. He commented,

“Working together is the central principle of co-operatives. Each of our co-operative pioneers know that co-operatives are viable and sustainable business models that work to achieve the aims of their organisations.

“Today’s modern co-operative pioneers are symbolic of a resurgence of interest in co-operation and socially focussed business models.

“The Welsh Co-operative and Mutuals Commission published an influential report earlier this year that made a number of practical recommendations which focussed on supporting the development of co-operative businesses across a range of different sectors.

“The will is there to stimulate this sector because of the sustainable benefits co-operative business models can offer communities and to the Welsh economy as a whole”.

Dulas is a world renowned renewable energy projects and consultancy specialist, based in Machynlleth. Alison Banton is one of the original co-operative members who helped set up the company. She said,

“At Dulas we have at our core a set of values and principles and a collective vision that I, as a shareholder, have participated in, approved and benefitted from. It’s important for me to be able to engage in our democratic process, to have input into strategy and key business decisions - it makes the day job more satisfying! "

Since 2009 Dulas has appeared on the Welsh Fast Growth 50 list four times.

Wrexham Football Club is the oldest football club in Wales and the third oldest professional football club in the world. It is 100% owned by its fans. Peter Jones is Chair of Wrexham Supporters Trust. He believes that co-operatives offer a democratic model for club ownership,

“Our experience of co-operatives within the football world has seen a growth in fan-owned clubs. Granted, not all have been a success, but like all co-operatives, the business must be profitable, since the main source of revenue and capital is from its members”.

Barod is a Community Interest Company set up by people who chose to work as a co-operative because they wanted to be their own directors and their own bosses. Alan Armstrong is a director of the company,

“I believe co-operatives are a good thing for the economy of Wales because they are a way for people to set up their own businesses and work as a team when they start up. They give more opportunities for employment to help people get off benefits, get into a working life and have a living wage”.

Dynamix is a Swansea-based workers cooperative that specialises in education and giving people a say through participative & playful engagement methods.  Amy Sanders is both a director and the Overarching Projects Coordinator, and she says

“We are immensely proud of our 25 years as a successful worker co-operative.  Being a co-operative is a fundamental part of our identity.  In Dynamix we are very committed to our unique co-operative structure and the co-operative values and principles underpin everything we do.  Co-operatives in Wales must stand proud of who we are and what we stand for. We are the ethical choice.”  

Marc Jones is a member of Saith Seren, a community owned co-operative pub and Welsh learning centre in Wrexham. He believes that,

“Co-operatives and social enterprises are the one way that communities can battle back and take control of their local shops, pubs, services and factories”.

Ivor Williams of Siop y Bobl, a community owned co-operative shop in the Gower village of Llanmadoc, agrees,

“Successful communities are based on mutual support and co-operation, principles which are just as important in business. I believe that one of the ways in which the national economy can grow is through its long tradition of co-operatives in Wales. We may be small in size but large in numbers, enough to make a difference. Expand the co-operatives, expand the economy”.

The ‘Rochdale Pioneers’ is an iconic image within the co-operative movement. The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers was formed in 1844. As the Industrial Revolution forced more skilled workers into poverty, these tradesmen decided to band together to open their own store, selling food items they could not otherwise afford. They designed the famous Rochdale principles (which became the generally accepted co-operative principles). In December 1844 they opened a basic provisions store selling butter, sugar, flour, oatmeal and candles. Within ten years, the British co-operative movement had grown to nearly 1000 co-operatives.

The Rochdale Pioneers are often mentioned in the same breath as Robert Owen, the founder of co-operative movement, who came from Newtown in mid-Wales. Today’s pioneers share the vision of ensuring democratic ownership and control of their businesses for their members.

Gillian Lonergan is Head of Heritage Resources at the Co-operative Heritage Trust who very kindly supported the Wales Co-operative Centre in putting together the image.

She commented,

“As the Rochdale model was adopted by communities setting up their own co-operatives, people wanted to know what the Pioneers looked like. In 1865, the original Pioneers still living in Rochdale were invited to a photographer's studio. Copies of the resulting photograph of the thirteen were requested from across the world and it is still one of the best known images of co-operation. The story of the Pioneers has inspired generations of co-operators to set up their own societies.

" We were delighted to be able to support the Wales Co-operative Centre put together their own interpretation of the iconic image and it is inspiring to see that the same spirit of co-operation is so vibrant in Wales today”

Cris Tomos has been involved in many co-operative ventures in West Wales. Most recently, he has been involved in a town regeneration co-operative, 4CG in Cardigan, and an energy generating co-operative, Cwm Arian Renewable Energy.

“The role of co-operatives and mutuals is extremely important and the key is to have the vast majority of local people taking up membership. Having a community co-operative in every neighbourhood would allow the creation of community action plans, to address the weaknesses and develop the opportunities of the locality. Having co-operative energy companies in each community and town council in Wales would see money spent locally for local benefit”.

Throughout Co-operatives Fortnight (21st June – 5th July) the Wales Co-operative Centre will be publishing blog posts from each of the modern pioneers looking at their reasons for getting involved in co-operatives and their hopes for co-operation in the future.

The blog posts can be read at www.walescooperative,org or it is possible to join the email list at http://walescooperative.wordpress.com

Wales’ Modern Pioneers (Left to Right)

Back row:

• Peter Jones Wrexham Supporters’ Trust www.wst.org.uk
• Cliff Vanstone John Lewis Partnership www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk
• Steve Meredith PrimePac Solutions Ltd www.primepacsolutions.co.uk
• Kevin Edwards Accommodation Furniture Solutions Ltd www.afs-wales.com
• Ivor Williams Siop Y Bobl / Llanmadoc Community Shop siop.y.bobl@gmail.com
• Marc Jones Saith Seren www.saithseren.org.uk
• Alun Taylor Smart Money Cymru www.smartmoneycreditunion.co.uk

Front row:

• Alison Banton Dulas www.dulas.org.uk
• June Jones Co-operative Group www.co-operative.coop
• David Jenkins Chair, Wales Co-operative Centre www.walescooperative.org
• Amy Sanders Dynamix www.dynamix.ltd.uk
• Alan Armstrong Barod CIC www.barod.org
• Andrew Lycett RCT Homes www.rcthomes.co.uk
• Cris Tomos 4CG / Cwm Arian Renewable Energy www.4cg.org.uk www.cwmarian.org.uk