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You may be used to seeing photos of Business Development Manager Tim, and Lending and Relationship Manager Kevin out and about but there are two more people that make up the Co-op & Community Finance team. If you have a loan with us, you will certainly have dealt with them. We’re talking today about the duo behind the scenes, Alain Demontoux and Anne Wilks. 

This year marked a milestone for CCF, as we completed our first audit in over a decade with a new auditor. In line with good governance twe engaged  Third Sector Accountancy, and what can often be a challenging first audit couldn’t have gone more smoothly. We’re extremely proud to say that our auditors found no variances across 90% of the loan portfolio they tested – this is particularly satisfying given the multiple Bank of England interest rate changes seen in 2024. As Alain puts it, “We’ve basically had our homework marked – and we got triple As.”

The audit is an annual external verification of the profit loss and balance sheet and the finances and organisation. It gives comfort to the board that what financial officers, here Alain and Anne, have been doing over the previous 12 months, is accurate and correct. An audit looks at the way that the organisation has been treating items on the balance sheet and and on the profit loss, and ultimately, verifies financial statements as giving a true and fair view.

Our operations span five different legal entities, from a private limited company and a PLC to a community benefit society. It’s complex work, and it’s managed by a small but deeply experienced team. Between them, Alain and Anne have been running CCF’s back office for over 12 years. Their roles are complementary – Alain oversees governance, regulatory responsibilities and shareholder relations, while Anne focuses on loan portfolio operations and direct contact with borrowers. Some roles are shared – both Alain and Anne sit on the Credit Committee – while others are held individually, for example, Alain holds the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authority. Constant communication between them ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Alain and Anne have worked closely together since before Covid and while they can no longer hand things across the desk to one another, they still get together, combining business with pleasure when the team comes together for in person meetings.

Together, the team looks after a loan book of around £4 million, covering more than 150 active loans. And while Tim and Kevin on the front line work with borrowers and partners to develop new opportunities, it’s the meticulous care of the finance and governance team that keeps the whole structure strong.

As we stride into our second half century of trading, and in the Year of Co-ops, we’re thrilled to have received such a positive audit. It’s a testament to the strength of our team, and the co-operative relationships within it. In coops, colleagues work together as friends.

At Co-operative and Community Finance, our annual Away Day is a valuable opportunity to reflect, collaborate, and strengthen our commitment to supporting the co-operative movement and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within our organisation.

This year’s event focused on reinforcing our core values, identifying what drives success within our team, and recognising areas that may hinder progress, all within the context of fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace.

 Embracing Our Core Values

Our core values are the foundation of everything we do. They guide our interactions with each other, the communities we serve, and our approach to EDI:

• Cooperation: We believe in working together to achieve more than we could alone, valuing diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Respect: We appreciate the time, skills, and viewpoints of every team member, ensuring everyone feels valued and included.
• Trust: Openness and a willingness to listen are essential for building strong, inclusive relationships.
• Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions, ensuring transparency and fairness in our work.
• Fairness and Democracy: We strive to create an environment where everyone has an equal voice and opportunities.
• Commitment: We are dedicated to supporting the co-operative movement while promoting EDI principles in all that we do.

Recognising Inflators and Deflators

During our EDI session, we identified key behaviours and attitudes that foster inclusion and those that can create barriers: 

Inflators (Boost Inclusion and Team Dynamics)

• Teamwork, cooperation, and inclusivity
• Supporting and acknowledging diverse contributions
• Listening and respecting different viewpoints
• Learning from mistakes and providing thoughtful responses to challenges
• Clear, open communication that values every voice

Deflators (Undermine Inclusion and Success)

• Poor communication and closed minds
• Ignoring diverse contributions and not listening
• Hidden agendas and exclusionary behaviour
• Lack of preparation and transparency
• Silos, conflict, and misuse of power
• Status seeking and inconsistency 

At the heart of the co-operative movement is a commitment to equality, democracy, and mutual respect—principles that align closely with our EDI goals. By fostering an inclusive environment where diverse voices are heard and valued, we strengthen our ability to support co-operatives and communities across the UK. Our commitment to EDI not only enhances our internal culture but also ensures that we serve our stakeholders with empathy, fairness, and integrity.

Moving Forward Together

By integrating EDI principles into our core values and daily practices, we create a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are committed to continuous learning and growth, ensuring that our support for the co-operative sector reflects our dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

We look forward to building on these insights as we continue our mission of providing supportive lending to co-operatives and communities across the UK, while championing equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do.

It’s hard to believe that two years ago, we were celebrating our fiftieth birthday. 

That milestone felt momentous, and yet here we are, with time still rolling, at the ripe old age of almost 52.

The Rochdale Pioneers seeded the co-operative movement and 181 years later the International Co-operative Alliance reports that 12% of the global population are members of co-ops.

In 1973 we became the first dedicated co-operative lender in the UK and rooted ourselves in the sector and continue that dedication, doing our bit to see a thriving, diverse and sustainable co-operative economy and build a better world. In the last 52 years we have lent over £25M, supporting hundreds of co-ops and community businesses to start and grow.

This year, we’re continuing our work of supporting co-ops of all shapes and sizes as they strive to make their workplaces, communities and the planet a better place. In a world that can often feel uncertain, it’s heartening to know that co-operatives continue to offer a steady, people-first path forward. And this year – 2025 — is the Year of Co-ops, a global celebration of the cooperative model and everything it stands for: shared ownership, community resilience, and long-term sustainability, right now, that feels like something to really hold onto.

We’re proud to have been at the forefront of co-operative investment and finance in the UK, and we hope that the much discussed ‘doubling the size of the sector’ both comes off, and has the social impact we know it can. To help us achieve that growth, this Summer 2025, we are planning to relaunch our ICOF Community Capital Community Shares investment fund, a chance for you to invest directly in the sector. More details will follow but if you want to be kept up-to-date with the investment opportunity please join our mailing list. 

Tim Coomer, CCF’s Business Development Manager said “It’s been said before, but this year really feels like a real opportunity for the co-op sector to lead the charge in creating real change in a broken extractive financial system. Co-ops can become the beacon in the darkness and we must harness support both domestically and internationally to galvanise the movement, create new co-ops, help the sector grow and be the fairer solution for communities everywhere.”

Here’s to the Year of Co-ops, and to every member, partner, and supporter , around the world, who believes in better.

The Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme distributes funds, paid by companies who may have breached Ofgem rules, to Registered Charities, Community Interest Companies, Co-operative Societies and Community Benefit Societies, to deliver energy related projects that meet the scheme priorities and benefit people in England, Scotland and Wales.

The core priority is to help people who are most at risk from cold homes and high energy bills. The Scheme is not currently designed to support energy saving improvements or energy generation technology in individual community buildings and facilities. The Main and Small Funds are only open to charities. Most likely to be of interest to our borrowers are the Innovation Fund and the Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund.

Innovation Projects

Up to 15% of Energy Redress funds can support the development of innovative products and services related to energy that have a realistic prospect of delivering benefits to existing and/or future energy consumers and that help to reduce the environmental impact of energy use.

Projects seeking support through the Innovation Funding Stream should involve:

• testing or trialling the roll-out of products or services that are ready to implement but not yet accessible to energy consumers or certain groups of energy consumers
• conducting research or analysis into the development of products or services not yet accessible to energy consumers or certain groups of energy consumers

Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund

Up to 15% of Energy Redress funds can also be used to support energy-related activities aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from energy use. These projects must focus on energy generation, distribution or energy use.

Projects seeking support through this funding stream must demonstrate

• measurable and lasting reductions in the carbon intensity of energy end use and accelerate the transition to Net Zero CO2
• have a realistic prospect of delivering broadly replicable benefits to existing and/or future energy consumers

If this sounds relevant to your organisation, find out more about the Scheme here, read the application guidance notes here, and find out how to apply here.

The Awards, sponsored by Lands Improvement, will celebrate the best in Rural Community Business at a ceremony on Thursday 3 July 2025 at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London

These annual awards are an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of community-owned businesses across the UK, and the dedicated and inspiring individuals behind their success.

Plunkett UK invites its community business members from across the UK to nominate themselves, or an individual involved in the business, for one of this year’s nine award categories before the deadline of Friday 25 April.

The categories are:

• Connecting the Community Award celebrates how community businesses go the extra mile to create safe and welcoming spaces for their community. Sponsored by Utility Aid.
• Investing in Local People Award acknowledges how community businesses are investing in local people through the creation of employment, training and volunteering roles, building confidence and skills. Sponsored by David Cadwallader & Co.
• Going Green Award reflects how community businesses are striving to lessen their impact on the environment by implementing environmentally friendly initiatives. Sponsored by Suma Wholefoods.
• Keeping it Local Award celebrates how community businesses are supporting their local economy by utilising local supplies and services. Sponsored by Co-op.
• One to Watch Award showcases the community groups who don’t yet have an open and trading community business but are in the process of creating a thriving and inclusive community space. Sponsored by Wise Investment.
• Young Person Award recognises and celebrates the young people who are helping to make a difference through their infectious, and dedicated attitude. Sponsored by Bestway Wholesale.
• ‘More Than’ Award is all about the communities who are using their business to create a place that offers a diverse range of services and amenities for local people.
• Community Contribution Award showcases the individual champions, who continuously go the extra mile.
• Nina Foskett Award for Team Spirit is dedicated to the memory of our colleague Nina, who was a shining example of teamwork and encouragement by always supporting others. This award celebrates community businesses that embody the same spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.

Last year’s Awards showcased examples of community spirit and collaboration, with winners sharing what it meant to receive such recognition.

Bathford Community Shop in Somerset, winners of the ‘More Than’ Award in 2024, says, “We’ve worked really hard to put together a shop, and to actually get this recognition through this award means so much to us.”

The community group at Ashton Hayes in Cheshire, who have taken on the ownership of The Golden Lion, were winners of the One to Watch Award in 2024. They said: “It acknowledges the dedication that the team has put in over the last 11 to 12 years. Achieving this award is phenomenal and recognition of that.”

Plunkett community business members can nominate themselves and a local community champion by submitting an online nomination before 25 April

Community businesses who wish to be nominated, but are not yet members, can join Plunkett’s network before the deadline.

The Community Builders Fund, previously the Recovery Loan Fund, supports impact-led charities and social enterprises across England, Wales, and Scotland with flexible loans of £100k to £1.5m to help them grow and build long-term resilience. We are delighted to be new partners as the fund relaunches.

Building on the success of the Recovery Loan Fund, this £17m fund, delivered by Social Investment Business (SIB) brings together five new partners – Groundwork, Homeless Link, Co-operative and Community Finance, Fredericks Foundation, and The Architectural Heritage Fund. Together we aim to ensure investment reaches organisations tackling some of our most pressing social and environmental challenges.

Tim Coomer our Business Development Manager said “We are really pleased to be involved in the relaunch of this fund, we worked successfully with Social Investment Business and partners on the Thrive Together Programme last year and were really keen to build on that relationship. We see this fund is an opportunity to support community businesses and community co-op’s to access higher levels of unsecured finance than we can typically offer, and help the co-op sector grow”.

For more information – including full eligibility criteria and how to apply – visit Community Builders Fund | Funding | Social Investment Business

The Community Shares Booster Fund has extended its offer of flexible funding, thanks to a top‑up of support from Access – the Foundation for Social Investment. This will enable the fund to continue supporting the community shares market throughout 2025 and beyond.   

Community shares are a way for people to invest in businesses that benefit their community – like setting up a renewable energy project or turning an old building into a community hub. Instead of relying on big banks or wealthy investors, local people can buy shares, become co-owners and have a say in how the business is run.   

Of the £560,000 added to the fund:  

• £200,000 will be allocated to development grants through Co-operatives UK 

• £360,000 will be available for matched equity investments for community share offers through us here at Co‑operative and Community Finance and our investment partner Community Shares ICOF known as the Community Shares Fund. 

The additional funds will help more communities to raise their own patient, flexible finance in the form of community shares.  

Development grants provide vital funding for organisations to prepare and launch a share offer, while matched equity incentivises others to invest by providing an institutional investment that builds trust and confidence in share offers.   

John Dawson, Head of Market Development at Co-operatives UK, said: “This is a great show of support to the power of communities raising their own finance and providing the answers to some of their own shared ambitions.” 

The Booster Fund has been hugely successful, having already invested over £4m into 88 organisations alongside 19,242 individual investor members and provided development grants to many more. To date, the community shares market has raised more than £230m.    

Seb Elsworth, CEO of Access – the Foundation for Social Investment said: “We are pleased to support Cooperatives UK, Cooperative and Community Finance, and Community Shares ICOF. This will enable them to deploy further community shares investments, which will boost the cooperative economy by providing opportunities for community focused cooperatives to benefit from more patient and flexible capital.”  

Tim Coomer, our Business Development Manager said: “We are delighted that Access has committed extra funds to allow us to continue investing in community share offers and make it easier for enterprises to raise the funds they need through matched local investment and finance.” 

 With Labour’s manifesto commitment to double the size of the co‑operative and mutual sector, there is significant potential to expand community shares investment. Alongside our partners in the community shares space, we wrote to government ministers in January making the case for a scaled-up Booster-style investment fund, within a new investment institution for the sector. We now have formal agreement in place with our partners and are working together on next steps.  

Find out more, and apply to the Booster Fund here.

The ABCs of Community Assets, a new training programme from Stir to Action aiming to inspire a nation of new community asset leaders, is open for bookings, now.

Running from the 12th of March to the 9th July 2025, the programme – featuring workshops and study visits – will support local groups to find out more about acquiring, managing, and future-proofing vital assets in their communities. And what’s more, all participants will get a free copy of the ABCs of the New Economy guide in the post.

Starting with an introduction to Community Assets on the 12th of March, the programme will work through engaging local people, designing the right structure, developing a business model, running a campaign, raising investment, retrofit and more.

Study Visits will include Hastings Commons on the 26th of March, Stretford Public Hall on the 21st of May and Nudge Community Builders on the 9th of July.

Explore the full programme here. All workshops and study visits are bookable individually. Some workshops will run more than once, so make sure to check dates.