Co-operative Party general secretary Joe Fortune is leaving the post to take up the corresponding role at its sister party, Labour.
Fortune has been selected for the role by Labour’s National Executive Committee, with the appointment to be ratified at Labour’s annual conference, which starts in Liverpool on 27 September.
The news follows the departure from the role of Keir Starmer ally Hollie Ridley, who had occupied the role since Labour’s general election victory in 2024.
Fortune has been working at the Co-op Party since 2010, when he joined as national political and policy manager. He has held the general secretary role since 2019.
In a statement, the Party said: “Joe has given nearly two decades of service to the Co-operative Party and the wider co-operative movement. We are immensely proud that he will now serve alongside our first Co-operative prime minister as general secretary of our sister party.
“Under Joe’s leadership, the Co-operative Party has reached new highs in membership, influence and electoral representation. Throughout, he has brought the very best of our movement’s values to everything he has done.”
The Party added: “He will be hugely missed by our team, but we are delighted that his next chapter will keep him at the heart of our shared movement.
“As we approach the centenary of our two parties’ historic partnership, we look forward to continuing to work closely together in his new role.”
