SharpFutures chief executive Rose Marley has been appointed head of Co-operatives UK.
Marley will join the network for Britain’s thousands of co-operatives as chief executive in January 2021.
“I couldn’t be more excited about joining Co-operatives UK,” she said. “There has never been a more important moment to harness the enthusiasm of a new generation for a fairer way of doing business.
“The co-op movement has always been about disrupting the status quo, encouraging people to take responsibility for themselves and others. In the past it was ensuring there was ‘no chalk in our flour’, now it is about digital platforms, or plastic in our environment or a gig economy that denies young people the stability and training they need to establish themselves in life.
“We have an historic opportunity now to merge co-operative principles with digital technology to create the kind of sustainable, equitable platforms that society needs.
“Over the past 20 years as a social entrepreneur I have worked to increase social mobility, give our young people meaningful employment, a start, a chance in life.
“I look forward to bringing that same spirit and energy to enthusing the next generation of co-operators about the world-changing potential of the co-operative movement.”
