Author: Helen Dickson (Page 1 of 3)

Event Round up: Co-operative Learning Journey

In November our team hit the road and visited Highlands and Islands to help raise awareness of Co-operatives and share the stories of the successful businesses working this way in the region.

Working in partnership with Highlands and Island Enterprise the two-day event was a great success and we caught up with project manager, Helen Dickson to find out more.

Highlands and Islands felt like a really obvious choice for planning our first Co-op Learning Journey. There is a wealth of diverse and exciting co-ops already operating in this part of Scotland but there is potential to see adoption of the model increase. This versatile way of working is one that adapts well for rural communities, creating resilient businesses that meet their community’s needs in a way that mainstream business models can’t always achieve.

The event generated strong interest from potential co-ops and the business advisor audience and we were delighted to host 26 participants across the two days to hear from co-ops and support organisations.

Day one began at the Kingsmill Hotel in Inverness where we welcomed speakers from our own Co-operative Development Scotland Team, Darah Zahran and Stewart Macgregor who set the scene for the days ahead.

Martin Meteyard, Co-operate Scotland, then provided a workshop on how the co-operative model can create and sustain a successful, values-based business, the steps needed to start one and the support available to do so. He was followed by fellow Co-operate Scotland member Tor Justad who provided an overview of the successful co-op already flourishing in the region.

We were then joined by some of those successful co-ops who shared more of their story in more detail with us. These included:

  • Cathy Craig, Argyll and Isles Tourism Co-operative, the strategic destination management organisation for Argyll & the Isles on the West Coast of Scotland.
  • Kevin McCubbin, Highland Wholefoods, a workers co-operative situated in the city of Inverness who supply vegetarian, vegan, organic, ethical and environmentally friendly food, drinks and household products to customers in the Highlands, islands and north-east.
  • Gary Jack, Highland Peoples Power, a new community benefit society, pushing for increased community ownership of renewables in the region, from solar and wind to battery storage.

Further information on support for Co-ops was shared by Stewart Macgregor CDS, and John MacKenzie, Highland and Island Enterprise.

After the presentations we had the opportunity to visit Highland Wholefoods premises where Kevin and fellow co-op member Susan Guest, gave delegates a tour of the warehouse and showroom giving a behind the scenes glimpse to how the business runs and the opportunity to ask questions about the practicalities of operating as a co-op. 

Day 1 was closed by our incredible after dinner speaker, Neil McInroy. Neil, Global Lead for Community Wealth Building at The Democracy Collaborative spoke for about the importance of inclusive and democratic business models including co-ops to Scotland. He shared his learnings from his many years of working on policy and as an adviser, researcher, practitioner, and organisational leader in this area. He also shared insight from his international visits and where Scotland could look to learn from. It was an inspiring way to end day one of the learning journey.

Day two saw our group move on to the village of Drumnadrochit where we were warmly welcomed by Russell Fraser and Gordon Findlay of Loch Ness Hub and Travel, a community benefit society operating as a community co-operative. Housed in the former Visit Scotland Tourist office in the centre of the village, the business provides vital services to tourists visiting the area and plays a critical role in supporting tourism business and infrastructure for the area.

We then moved on to the Glen Urquhart village Hall. Operated by Glen Urquhart’s Development Trust, the hall itself provided an opportunity to see community ownership in action and the importance and role of facilities such as this to rural communities.  There we were joined again by Gordon from Loch Ness Travel Hub who provided more insight to the organisation’s set up and how they operate. Our second speaker of the morning was Murdo Macdonald of  Great Glen Energy Co-op, an Industrial and Provident Society established for the purpose of owning a stake in the Millenium Wind farm near Invergarry.

We would like to thank all our delegates, speakers and host companies who participated across the two days. We hope it left you feeling inspired and ready to either set up your own co-operative business or spread the word about the importance and potential of this way working. We look forward to bring your more events in 2025.

Find out about future events

Event Round up: Employee Ownership Learning Journey

The third annual 2024 Employee Ownership Learning journey took place 30-31 October. Hosted by Co-operative Development Scotland,  the event showcased examples of effective employee ownership in successful, growing businesses. These companies shared their learning and experience giving helpful pointers of what has worked and what hasn’t in their employee ownership journey. We caught up with project manager Angela Wardrope to find out more

Collage of three photos Photo 1. Man presenting Photo 2 group infront of camper van Photo 3: Group infront of bus.
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New report published examining the role of inclusive and democratic business models

Tripling the number of inclusive and democratic businesses (IDBMs) in Scotland will make a significant contribution to transforming the country’s economy according to a new report published 3rd September 2024.

The report: Developing Scotland’s Economy: Increasing the Role of Inclusive and Democratic Business Models was published after the review was announced in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) report (Scottish Government, 2022) and seeks to provide guidance for increasing the number of Inclusive and Democratic Business Models (IDBMs) in Scotland.

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Dispelling the myths of co-ops

We recently carried out some research with business advisors to get feedback around their perceptions of co-operatives and it was both an informative and eye-opening experience. We could see quite a few misconceptions across the piece, so we thought this provided the perfect opportunity to address some of these misconceptions and have created a brand-new video series called Dispelling the Myths of Co-ops. In our latest blog, marketing project manager, Helen Dickson shares the new video series. 

Co-op video Guide Introducing co-op and dispelling the myths. Graphic of scr scrapper, wind turbine, whisky still, bus, shop and solar panels
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Delivering real economic impact and commercial success without compromising value or social impact

Key learning from Scottish Government and Quebec Social Economy Policy Exchange


In May, Co-operative Development Scotland team leader, Darah Zahran, was invited to participate in the Scottish Government’s and Quebec Social Economy Policy Exchange Led by Social Enterprise World Forum and hosted by Chantier de L’Economie Sociale www.chantier.qc.ca. We caught up with Darah to find out more about what her key takeaways were from this insightful and inspiring programme.

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Employee ownership key to retaining and developing businesses in Northern Ireland

DLD Fund & Chartered Accountants Ulster Society Employee Ownership Breakfast Series – June 2024

Earlier this month, Co-operative Development Scotland employee ownership specialist Glen Dott was asked to speak at a series of breakfast events across Northern Ireland showcasing the success and uptake of employee ownership in Scotland. We caught up with him to find out more about the events and what is happening in Northern Ireland to support the model as a business succession option.

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The Scottish Co-operative Discovery Centre to celebrate Scottish Co-operative Movement

A community group in West Lothian are on their way to creating the first centre dedicated to the story of the Scottish co-operative movement.

Group of employees from the Co-op Discovery Centre

West Calder & Harburn Community Development Trust (WCHCDT) plans to create a hands-on, experiential, fun discovery & learning centre based around co-operative heritage that will create a nationally recognised attraction with café and event space, boosting local footfall and creating jobs.

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Is starting a co-op right for you?

We’re getting ready to host our first co-op masterclasses next month. In the run up to the event we caught up with co-op specialist Suzanne Orchard to find out more about the new events and what is in store for those who sign up.

Picture of Suzanne Orchard“As Scotland strives to create a wellbeing economy, co-ops can play a critical role in realising that ambition.  They are proven to be resilient and contribute significantly to the economy, by delivering beyond the measure of GDP. They are democratic, fair businesses that place profit on an equal footing to planet and people, delivering positive impacts for the communities they serve.

 

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EOA Conference 2023 – Top 5 Takeaways

Collage of event pictures featuring stage with presentation, proudly employee owned logo and Glen Dott.

Our specialist adviser Glen Dott attended the recent EOA Conference 2023 which took place in Liverpool on 27-28 November 2023.  With 2 days of jam-packed activities, from keynote speakers, breakout sessions, silent theatre, fireside chats to the exhibition area, conference dinner and networking opportunities, we caught up with Glen for his top five takeaways from the conference: 

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Business Support Needs of Co-operatives in Scotland

Over the summer we issued an invite to the co-op sector to share their insights with us and help us inform our plans for 2023.  With the responses now in and feedback collated, our specialist advisor, Stewart Macgregor outlines some of the key findings in our latest blog article:

Stewart MacgregorAs the only public-sector-funded service in Scotland dedicated to supporting economic growth by increasing the number of co-operatives, Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) must ensure that co-ops have a greater role and voice to inform the areas of support that we provide.

With that goal in mind, we devised the ‘Business Support Needs of Co-operatives in Scotland’ survey to help us understand the key sectors that co-ops are working in, the support that new and existing co-ops have accessed in the last 12 months, and the areas of support they would benefit from over the next 12 months.

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Highlights from the Oxford Symposium

The second annual Oxford Symposium on Employee Ownership took place last month.  Organised by Graeme Nuttall OBE and Professor John Hoffmire, the aim is to bring together individuals and organisations active in employee ownership policy-making from across the world to share ideas and learning.   The number of nations represented was impressive: there were at least 20 countries attending including Australia, Japan, Denmark, Slovenia, Canada and the US. Co-operative Development Scotland were pleased to report strong Scottish representation and we caught up with Simon Poole of Jerba Campervans who shares his experience in our latest blog article. 

Group of Jerba Campervans employees standing in front of campervan

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No Succession-style drama here – Alexander (Scotland) & Co Ltd and Glen Drummond Chartered Accountants make the move to employee ownership

While one trades in Steel and the other in Numbers, two more Scottish companies – Alexander (Scotland) & Co and Glen Drummond Chartered Accountants – have proved they see the value in becoming employee-owned, handing their respective employees a 100% share via the creation of an employee ownership trust (EOT).

It is a choice being made by an increasing number of companies in Scotland as the employee ownership business model becomes more widely understood. We caught up with current owner of Mr Glenn Maclachlan of Alexander (Scotland) & Co and Chris Wilson CA, director of Glen Drummond to find out more about each of their moves.

Group of employees outside Alexander Scotland premisese. Company sign and vehicle visible in background
Employees from Alexander (Scotland) & Co Ltd based in Striling

“Alexander (Scotland) & Co Ltd has been serving steel customers across Central Scotland for almost 75 years. From humble beginnings at a small premises in Stirling, with just a horse and cart for delivery, the company has grown to forty employees with two premises in Stirling and one in Bathgate,” explains Glenn.

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An altogether different way to do business- with New Leaf Co-op

This Co-op Fortnight we’re joining with Co-operatives UK and the co-op sector to celebrate how co‑operatives offer an altogether different way to do business. We thought this was a great opportunity to catch up with an established co-op. In our newest blog article, Sally Green of Edinburgh based New Leaf chats to us about why a co-op model works for their members and their customers and how its helping them navigate the challenges of the cost of living crisis.

Sally Green sranding outside New Leaf Co-op with a box of produce

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Meet our specialist advisors

Last month we launched our brand-new Inclusive Business Models Video Guide which demonstrates the type of business models our team can support. Each video stars one of our specialist advisors so in our latest blog article, we’re shining a light on them to find out more about who they are and why they love working with employee-owned businesses and co-ops.  

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Scotland welcomes three new employee-owned businesses

It was a great start to 2023 for employee ownership as three Scottish businesses implemented an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), safeguarding the long-term future of their companies, retaining jobs, skills and investment. We caught up with Clare Alexander, Head of Co-operative Development Scotland, to find out more.

SVM Glasgow, Stoneywood Care Services in Denny and Oliver Chapman Architects in Edinburgh have all made the move to employee ownership since the start of 2023.  Our team were pleased to be involved in the early stages of the process for each by providing advice and support via a 100% funded ownership succession review and employee ownership feasibility study.

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From EO sceptic to EO evangelist

As part of our recent Employee Ownership Learning Journey we had the pleasure of hosting Andrew Lane, MD of Leeds based Union Industries as our after dinner speaker. Andrew shared his 15 years’ experience of employee ownership with the audience and describes how he moved from EO Sceptic to EO Evangelist….

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The legal aspects of the employee ownership transaction

Our Employee Ownership Explained Webinar Series kicked off last month with Graeme Nuttall sharing his insight on the employee ownership landscape and view of the future. The series continues with spaces still available at the remaining events. These expert webinars, aimed at professional advisers, will explore different aspects of employee ownership, equipping the audience to support their clients in making informed decisions.

In advance of the second webinar, we caught up with guest speaker, Bruce Farquhar from Anderson Strathern, for his thoughts on best practice when it comes to implementing the EOT.  

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