Ben Reid to chair Co-operatives UK

CO-OPERATIVES UK has announced that Ben Reid, Chief Executive of West Midlands Co-op, is its new chair.
Ben has been on the board of Co-operatives UK for seven years and has led West Midlands Co-op for the past 10 years.
Pauline Green, Chief Executive and Secretary of Co-operatives UK, said: "I am confident that Ben will be an excellent chair as he has a wealth of co-operative, business and community experience which will serve us well in our dealings with other co-operatives, politicians and business leaders.
"Ben has also been part of the board during the transformation of our business from the Co-operative Union to Co-operatives UK. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of the changes while always reminding us that our members&#039 needs must be at the heart of all our work. We are all looking forward to working with him."
Ben Reid says it was an honour for him to accept the role of chair of Co-operatives UK due to its unique status in the Movement as both a national spokesperson on Co-operative issues and a champion of innovative co-operative business models.
"I am very much looking forward to working with Pauline, my fellow board members and the team at Co-operatives UK to ensure that co-operation, in all its forms, remains a key element of business, service provision and political debate in this country."
As well as his role at West Midlands Co-op, Ben is also active in a number of other positions including as a director, of the Co-operative Group Board; chair of the Black Country Learning & Skills Council; vice chair of the West Midlands Regional Assembly and as Chairman of the Urban Regeneration Company, Walsall.
Speaking on behalf of the board after its last meeting, Pauline Green also paid tribute to the work of former chair Bob Burlton, who, she said, had inspired and led the changes in Co-operatives UK during one of the most dynamic periods in its recent history.
His commitment and work, she said, had done a great deal to improve the standing and professionalism of Co-operatives UK throughout the Co-operative Movement and beyond.
The board was unanimous in thanking Bob for his contribution and wishing him well as the future chair of the Co-operative Group.