Society Election 2023

Our Society elections will be taking place this year between the 9th May 2023 and 5th June 2023.

Your Board of Directors is made up of 8 elected members and up to 3 co-opted members. This year we have 6 candidates for 3 vacancies... so your vote could make all the difference!

If you’re eligible to vote you’ll receive a voting pack by email. If we don’t hold an email address for you we will post your voting pack to your home address.

If you have not received your voting pack by email or post by Friday 12^th May 2023 please contact the Membership Team at membership@lincolnshire.coop or by phone on 01522 781 135 (Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5pm)

As a member, you’re eligible to vote if you have been a member for more than 6 months and you’re over 18. All eligible members will receive a voting pack by email. If we don’t hold an email address for you, we’ll post your voting pack.

Over the course of my career, I have served as Operations Director on multiple boards and have built two Lincoln-based businesses: Wallbreaker and StageSoft. My proven ability to strategically apply my creativity when leading large-scale projects has been recognised in recent years through multiple awards, including Lincolnshire 30 under 30, Growth Business of the Year, and Entrepreneur of the Year.

My professional skills are wide-ranging, and while my technical knowledge and innovative approaches have significantly contributed to my success at both of my businesses, I largely attribute my accomplishments to my people-centric approach. From the perks and wellbeing benefits offered to my employees, to the friendly and down-to-earth service that myself and my team provide, I champion relationship-building. This is coincidentally one of the things I have always admired about Lincolnshire Co-op.

I would consider it a real honour to be able to sit on a board of likeminded people and make positive changes to the Lincolnshire community on a much larger scale. I’ve lived in Lincoln for 12 years, and I’ve seen the impact that Lincolnshire Co-op’s work has had on the city. I feel I could bring a unique perspective to the panel, allowing it to adapt to new challenges and move with the times to ensure this trajectory continues.

As a serving Director since 2019 and current Vice President of the Society, I am seeking re-election to the Board of Directors, to continue to steer the Society on its course, meeting challenges and enabling the Purpose and Approach to be fulfilled in each area of our business activities.

I have served on the Governance Committee, Search and Membership Committee and am a serving nominated Trustee on the Society Pension scheme and have a wide knowledge of the operating environment.

I had the privilege of working for Lincolnshire Co-op for over 25 years in operational and management roles, providing goods and services to the members across the trading area.

During my service, I represented the Society regionally and nationally on governance groups, committees and forums, collaborating on projects with other co-operatives throughout the United Kingdom, working towards and sharing co-operative values and principles to make life better in our communities.

I was an elected Trustee of the Pension Scheme, a Director of Lincolnshire Quality Beef, Lamb and Pork Ltd., and worked with many of our local suppliers and producers. After leaving the Society, I ran a proofreading and business support service and I am currently a dental receptionist.

I am married, live in Sleaford and my interests include researching genealogy and social history; boating; and getting out into the fresh air walking and hiking, especially alongside rivers and canals.

In 2001, I was elected to the Board of Lincolnshire Co-op and completed the Institute of Co-operative Directors qualification. I have had the honour of being elected President three times, chairing for one-year terms in 2005, 2011 and 2017. Throughout these 20 years, I have sat on several subcommittees, including the Co-operative Development Lincoln, Search, Governance, Pensions, Lincoln Grief and Loss and Lincoln Science and Innovation Park. I have been part of many changes throughout this time acquiring skills in change management and succession planning.

Being a member of Lincolnshire Co-op for nearly 50 years, I have seen the Society grow and witnessed many changes and I am pleased to witness the continuous success of our Society. I would like to think that my contribution as a Board member is helping towards our continued success, albeit in a small way.

Having been employed by the Society for nearly 40 years my position within the Society enables me to travel to all the Society's trading areas where I have acquired a sound understanding of the services we offer to our members and colleagues.

Many colleagues, pensioners and members will also have met me through my involvement with the Society’s Employee's Association and my participation in local member meetings and events.

As a grandma of 4 I so enjoy spending time with the children, helping with their homework, taking them to parks, teaching them how to bake (their favourite!) and above all just being with them.

I have lived and worked nearly all of my life in Lincolnshire and now live in a small village on the Lincolnshire / Nottinghamshire border with my husband and our pet spaniel. After a dog walk, I can often be found shopping at the Collingham Co-op, as I enjoy the convenience and friendliness of the staff.

I am immensely proud of my career; initially as a solicitor in Lincoln for 20 years serving all parts of the community and latterly as the Chair of a Housing Association which is based in Spilsby and has properties throughout Lincolnshire.

Success is not measured by individual achievement or performance alone but as the result of a cohesive, passionate, inspired and motivated team. I am confident that I can play a positive and pro-active role within the Lincolnshire Co-op team.

I will bring my commitment to the Board and will contribute to developing and maintaining an effective and highly performing organisation. I have an infectious drive and enthusiasm and want to support Lincolnshire Co-op into the future.

Born in Louth I grew up on a farm just outside the village of Binbrook. At 18 years of age, I left Lincolnshire to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) and completed 22 years' service. I moved back to Lincolnshire with the family, settling in the village of Nettleham and setting up Medefix Ltd in 2011. As director of the company, I have built it up over the past eleven years to far exceed my early expectations. My past 33 years have given me many experiences and qualifications in life, leadership and management and not forgetting the willingness to get hands on to a task.

Throughout my career I have gained recognition from peers and governing bodies such as:

• Incorporated Member of Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IIPEM), equivalent to IEng
• Licentiateship Award in Leadership and Management (LCGI)
• Long service and good conduct medal (RAF)

And completed many technical and management courses, most relevant being:

• RAF Trade Management Training including: NVQ expert witness, QA ISO 9001, First Aid, H&S Management, Risk Assessments, and supervision of lift operations (Appointed Person)
• NVQ level 4 Management and Leadership
• Prince 2 Project Management (Foundation & Practitioner)

Since moving back to Nettleham I have helped in the community where possible, serving as Parent Governor at Nettleham Junior School, managed Nettleham F.C junior football team and organising charity events. Now having more available time I feel that this opportunity with the Co-op would put my experience and knowledge to effective use.

I consider myself to be very fortunate to have been raised in a humble home, with a good strong work ethic, plenty of discipline and much love. This has helped shape me both personally and professionally, bringing me to a point now whereby I feel a strong desire to give back to the community and to my ‘home county’.

My professional and personal background, particularly over the last 25 years, have been exciting, interesting and colourful.

From a professional perspective, I bring a wealth of C-Suite management experience gained in global organisations, mid-size start-ups as well as self-owned business enterprises. Extensive knowledge and experience in operations management, business development, sales and marketing and communications, gained in the United Kingdom as well as throughout Europe, are just some of the competencies I have acquired.

Not shy of, and always courageous to take on new challenges, in 1998 I embarked on building a life and a corporate career throughout Europe, based in Budapest, Hungary. A bold move for a young girl born and bred in the small town of Gainsborough, but nonetheless a journey that I embraced, thrived on and can now look back at my achievements with much pride and gratitude.

One of my biggest and proudest achievements is that of being a mother and raising my amazing son, whilst running two businesses whereby I provide services throughout the Isle of Axholme to bring a sense of order and harmony to individual and family homes. I simply thrive on serving others.