The Heart of England Co-operative Society has a new director on its board.
Scott Arlidge was voted on to the board of the society, which operates a network of 32 food stores and 13 funeral homes in Coventry, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.
Mr Arlidge has been a member of the society for nine years. With an extensive background in retail, he has worked for a leading supermarket and two national opticians, and more recently has worked in finance and energy.
He works with the Heart of England’s Coventry Member Committee, and with the Co-op Group as a Coventry Member Pioneer, where he helps to promote community engagement.
Mr Arlidge said: “I am a keen co-operator with a good working knowledge of the co-operative movement – where we have come from, where we are going, and the challenges we face.
“Since joining as a member of the society in 2010 I have been a strong advocate of its work within the Coventry area, not for any profit or gain, but because the society cares for the communities which have continued to be the source of its success.
“The Heart of England Co-operative Society holds a special place in my heart and I shall continue to work towards promoting the work the society does, support my colleagues on our Member Relations Committee and help safeguard the values and principles of the society so we may be there for both our members and the people of Coventry and beyond, now and into the future.”
In his spare time, Mr Arlidge volunteers with the Scout Association and is a part-time fitness instructor. He is also studying management.
Ali Kurji, chief executive of Heart of England, said: “Congratulations to Scott on his appointment. Since becoming a member of our Society he has worked tirelessly in helping to promote the work we do, both within our stores and funeral homes, and also in our local communities.
“Scott is always brimming with ideas and we look forward to working more closely with him for the benefit of the society and its customers, members and employees now and in the years to come.”
