The workers.coop board is looking to fill two director vacancies. There will be Board member elections during the AGM on 10 September 2026.

Please send expressions of interest to secretary@workers.coop by Thursday 20th August, 11:59PM.

The Board’s Purpose

To be accountable to, and make decisions in the interest of members. To oversee the strategic direction, good governance and financial sustainability of this federation. To support and effectively hold to account for delivery all working groups and worker members.

Domains

  • Setting and overseeing the execution of a strategic plan
  • Ensuring financial responsibility and long term sustainability
  • Managing risks and ensuring compliance with the law
  • Cultivating and reflecting our members’ co-operative values
  • Ensuring an active, democratic membership and good governance
  • Maintaining connections with external organisations, particularly within the UK and global co-op movement.

Director Role Profile

Overview

A Director provides oversight, governance and leadership to workers.coop Limited in the pursuit of its objectives and rules. Ensure that business decisions are made in the best interest of workers.coop Limited and the interests of members.

The role of director is unpaid, but travel and subsistence costs for in-person board meetings can be covered by workers.coop.

Expectations

  • To attend Board meetings as required. Typically: online, 2hr monthly meetings.
  • To contribute to board related activities, discussion and decisions between monthly meetings.
  • To read all Board papers prior to the meeting, scrutinise and take part in discussions
  • To share responsibility for ensuring the Board is directing its attention where it is required (e.g. actively shaping Board meeting agendas and instigating any other activities needed)
  • To comply with the statutory director duties. link
  • To abide by workers.coop Limited internal policies. link (members login required)
  • To contribute actively to the Board’s role in giving firm strategic direction to workers.coop Limited,  approving policy, objectives and evaluating performance against agreed strategic plans.
  • To follow co-operative values and principles and create a genuinely egalitarian culture and space for people to reach their potential and flourish.
  • Keep informed about the activities of workers.coop Limited and wider issues which affect its work.
  • Complete full induction process upon election.
  • Undertake appropriate training and other methods of ongoing learning and development.

Competencies and capacity

  • A commitment to workers.coop Limited, our values, principles and objects.
  • Practical experience from having held a similar position in another co-op, preferably a worker co-op.
  • A willingness and capacity to devote the necessary time and effort to their duties as a non-executive director.
  • At least 1-2 days a month to Board activities.
  • The ability to think strategically, with the courage of conviction to scrutinze and hold to account Directors and Worker Members.
  • Knowledge of the governance and legal framework applicable to a co-operative society
  • Able to understand and interrogate financial information
  • An understanding of risk management and the ability to think independently and critically about information provided to the Board
  • Sound, independent judgement, an ability to ask questions and challenge.
  • An ability to think creatively, be open minded and continually learn.
  • A sound knowledge of worker co-ops and the co-operative movement

Desirables

  • Experience of/willingness to take on additional roles such as facilitator, minute-taker or peer supporting staff (please specify)

To apply, please email secretary@workers.coop by Thursday 20th August, 11:59PM with a short bio and why you think you would make a good board member. Directors need to be nominated by one of our Co-operative Enterprise Members, but are not required to be themselves members of the co-operative nominating them. Please CC the contact email of your nominating co-operative when sending your application email.

We will be hosting one or more drop-in sessions with a current director on Wednesday 13th August, 12PM-1PM. Please get in touch to receive the details of how to attend the drop-in session; If you are not able to make this, we will try to arrange a additional times.