Co-op unveils new board appointments

The Co-operative Group (Co-op) has appointed Wais Shaifta and Lord Simon Woolley as Independent non-executive directors (NED).

Wais is an expert in digital growth and transformation and Co-op said his experience in leading technology businesses brings “depth of understanding of the role technology plays in delivering more value to member-owners”.

Wais is an independent NED at Reach plc, Snappy Shopper and the Gym Group – where he chairs the Remuneration and Sustainability Committees. Wais is also senior independent trustee at The Football Foundation, England’s largest sports charity.

Previously, he was the CEO of Push Doctor, which is the largest digital partner to the NHS. Prior to that, Wais held leadership positions in group operations, digital tech, product, business development, M&A and international expansion at Just Eat and Treatwell.

Meanwhile, Lord Woolley is a leading political and equalities activist, and is currently Principal of Homerton College, Cambridge and the deputy vice chancellor at Cambridge University.

Woolley co-founded Operation Black Vote, the internationally renowned campaigning NGO, working with ethnic minorities in the UK to increase understanding of civic society, participation in Parliament and public life, and to promote equality and human rights. Previously, Simon served as an Equality and Human Rights Commissioner, as well as creating and leading the UK Government’s pioneering Race Disparity Unit.

He currently holds an advisory role with The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme, and is a NED of Police Now Ltd and Youth Futures Foundation.

The pair join the board as Lord Victor Adebowale and Rahul Powar leave their roles. Adebowale will step down from the board following the next board meeting in March as he reaches the maximum term for directors after nine years in the role.

Co-op said Powar is “reluctantly” stepping down from the board due to personal reasons after more than six years..

Debbie White, Co-op group chair, said: “on behalf of the Co-op board I am delighted to welcome Simon and Wais. Both Directors bring considerable skills and expertise to the board at an exciting time as the Co-op focuses on growing its businesses to deliver even more value to its member-owners.

“I would also like to extend the board’s gratitude and my own personal thanks to Victor and Rahul for their significant commitment and contribution to the Co-op Group.”