President elected at new society

John Holmes has been elected as the first President of East of England Co-op.
Mr Holmes who lives in Great Yarmouth, was Vice-President of the former Ipswich and Norwich Society. He has been associated with his local society for many years, becoming a director of the former Norwich Society in 1990.
He holds the Institute of Co-operative Directors&#039 Certificate and has represented the society on the Southern Sectional Board and at Co-operative Congress.
Gillian Bober President of the former Colchester and East Essex Society, has been elected Vice-President of the newly merged society. Mrs Bober, from Colchester, had been a board member for 28 years. She is a school governor, board member of the Co-op College and chair of the National Co-operative Education Association.
John Holmes and Gillian Bober will serve as President and Vice-President until October 2006.
• Jean Lockie, President of the former Ipswich and Norwich Society, retired from the board last month after 12 years&#039 service.