The second aim of the CUEB is to work for a return of the Co-operative Bank to co-operative ownership. This is a difficult and complex issue, so we’ve assembled a specialist panel on ownership to inform this discussion. 

The members are currently:

  • Rose Marley: Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK. Prior to this she was founding Chief Executive of Manchester-based social enterprise SharpFutures, which supports diverse, young talent into creative, digital and tech industries. Rose was directly appointed by Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to lead a pilot campaign improving local travel opportunities and raising aspiration for young people in Manchester. She is currently the chair of the Social Enterprise Advisory Group for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, an RSA Fellow as well as an advisory board member for SODA (School of Digital Arts).
  • Malcolm Lynch: A partner at Wrigleys solicitors with responsibility for Charities & Social Economy, Malcolm advises local, national and international charities and social economy companies including co-operatives, and has been the adviser on a number of public share issues by social enterprises. Malcolm is a former chair of Ecology Building Society and was the first company secretary of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association.
  • Tony O'Rourke: A retired professor, Tony taught Banking and Finance at the University of Stirling and held posts in small business financing and strategy at universities in Ireland, Montenegro and Serbia. He has also carried out advisory work for Co-operatives UK, and is the co-author of a recent book on Ethical and Responsible Tourism.

We also consult with industry specialists for this area of our work who prefer not to be publicly identified.