Accelerate Action this International Women's Day

As we mark International Women’s Day 2025, Central Co-op proudly celebrates the achievements of women across our Society and beyond. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, is a powerful call to break barriers, foster inclusion and champion women in leadership.

One incredible example of this leadership is our very own Charlotte Castille, Head of Membership, Brand & Marketing, who has been named in the prestigious 2025 Women to Watch in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index. Charlotte’s transformative work in loyalty and membership has not only shaped Central Co-op’s future but has also inspired many along the way. Her journey - rooted in creativity, passion and resilience - reminds us of the impact that strong, authentic leadership can have.

Leading by example

At Central Co-op, we are deeply committed to gender equality and ensuring that all women have the opportunity to thrive. This commitment is reflected at the highest levels of our organisation:

• Executive Leadership Team – 75% female representation
• Board of Directors – 66% female representation

These figures are not just statistics; they represent the active and democratic choice of our colleagues and Members to ensure that female leadership is valued and celebrated.

We also recognise that more work needs to be done. While we are proud of our progress, we are committed to achieving at least 50% female representation across all roles in Central Co-op by the end of 2025.

Creating a culture of inclusion

Empowering women requires more than just representation; it demands action. Central Co-op has implemented a range of initiatives to ensure women feel supported at every stage of their careers:

• Inclusive leadership training to build an environment where everyone can thrive.
• The EmpowHER women’s network, providing a platform for discussion, mentorship and advocacy.
• Family-friendly policies that support women balancing their careers with personal responsibilities.
• Safe and fair working conditions, ensuring every woman has the opportunity to succeed.

Women’s Voices Event: A Space for Inspiration and Action

On Thursday the 6th of March, colleagues and Members came together for our annual Women’s Voices event, dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and driving real change. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” encouraged conversations on gender dynamics, neurodiversity, career progression and the role of co-operatives in fostering equality.

The event saw many powerful and moving movements for attendees, many of whom were inspired by the incredible stories and insights shared by our guest speakers. Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts, Police & Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire, addressed critical issues including retail crime and domestic abuse, highlighting the urgent need to protect vulnerable individuals and create safer workplaces for women in retail. Her powerful speech resonated deeply, prompting discussions on how organisations like Central Co-op can play a role in tackling these challenges.

Nusrat Hathiari from Kindred Spirit spoke on the harrowing yet vital topic of abuse against women and human trafficking, shedding light on the hidden struggles faced by women worldwide. Her words underscored the importance of awareness, education and proactive support systems to aid survivors and prevent exploitation. Many attendees left feeling empowered to take action in their own communities and workplaces, reinforcing the event’s theme of accelerating change.

In addition to the thought-provoking talks, attendees engaged in workshops designed to provide practical tools for personal and professional growth. The sessions on gender dynamics, career progression and neurodiversity fostered rich discussions, while the wellbeing activities including yoga, guided walks and reflective ‘Tea & Talk’ sessions, allowed for moments of connection and self-care.

Supporting women in co-operatives globally

Central Co-op’s commitment to gender equality extends beyond our own organisation. During the COVID-19 crisis, we proudly worked with follow co-operatives to support the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Co-operative Federation in India by funding a vaccination programme and providing survival packs to women workers in need.

Now, SEWA has shown co-op to co-op support in return, by designing the logo for the Fund for International Co-operative Development (FICD) - a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to supporting co-operatives worldwide during times of crisis and growth.

The newly unveiled FICD logo, inspired by a dandelion, symbolises resilience, renewal and the ability of co-operatives to spread seeds of change globally. Jigisha Maheta, Managing Director of SEWA Co-operative Federation, explains: “The dandelion is a symbol of hope, healing and resilience. Like the dandelion, co-operatives grow and nurture themselves, and through their lifecycle, they spread their seeds far and wide, creating independent yet interconnected entities.”

Launched on the 21st December 2024 at the historic Rochdale Pioneers Museum, FICD is the first fund of its kind, seeing a network of UK co-operatives providing financial aid, expertise and long-term mutual support to other co-operatives worldwide. It focuses on three key areas:

• Crisis response – Providing immediate humanitarian aid through co-operative infrastructure.
• Medium-term rebuilding – Strengthening co-operatives during post-crisis recovery.
• Long-term mutual aid – Fostering resilient and inclusive economies through co-operative partnerships.

Dr. Sarah Alldred, FICD Manager and Secretary, highlights: “In 2021, the co-operative partnership leading this fund supported SEWA in its response to the COVID crisis, demonstrating our deep commitment to co-op to co-op support. This history of collaboration made SEWA the ideal partner to design a logo that embodies our mission.”

With the UN declaring 2025 as the International Year of Co-operatives under the theme ‘Co-operatives Build a Better World,’ FICD aims to expand its reach and impact, building long-term partnerships and supporting co-operatives in their vital role in driving sustainable, inclusive change worldwide.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this International Women’s Day, Central Co-op reaffirms its commitment to driving gender equality - not just within our organisation, but across the wider retail sector and our communities. We know that by fostering a culture of inclusion, representation and empowerment, we can create a future where women don’t just succeed - they lead.

Join us in celebrating the incredible women of Central Co-op and beyond. Let’s Accelerate Action together.