News Archive
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – KER Plant Hire
There’s something very tangible about lending a business money to buy a whacking great piece of machinery. Ever wondered why businesses that rent our machinery are called ‘plant hire’? Apparently it comes from the verb ‘to plant’ in the sense that we ‘plant our feet’ on the ground and the heavy objects are also planted […]
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – our progress so far
In April 2022, we signed The Diversity Forum’s Manifesto. When we wrote about this at the time, we said ‘We are sharing this with you not just to demonstrate our commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion but also to ask you to hold us accountable and support us on our journey to get there. […]
Fifty years of friendship and finance – meet Cath Muller
Today in our series of interviews looking back over 50 years of friendship and finance, we meet Cath Muller of Radical Routes, a mutual aid network of co-ops committed to working for radical social change. One of the things we do at Radical Routes is make loans to our Members using money invested by the public. Many […]
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Hastings Furniture
The sign on the van proudly proclaims Hastings Furniture Service to be ‘your community business’. We think that this photo dates from 1998 when we lent to them to refinance their property. Was this one of the earliest uses of the term? HFS is still trading, as a charity now. Their website says that they […]
Manchester in May – it’s the Stir To Action Playground for the New Economy
We’re incredibly proud to be sponsoring the STIR Magazine 10th Anniversary Lecture Demanding Democracy: Reinventing Politics for the 21st Century, as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations this year Taking place on the Thursday 18th May, this lecture will mark ten inspiring years of the Stir to Action magazine. It will be delivered by Carne […]
50 years of friendship and finance – meet Charlie Cattell
Today in our 50th anniversary stroll down memory lane, we meet Charlie Cattell, a former Director and Chair of ICOF, who was involved in ICOF in various ways for almost twenty years between 1986 and 2004 I’d worked full time for ICOM from 1986 to 1996. Part of my role at ICOM was liaising with […]
Celebrating ICOF 50th birthday – looking back at our early loans – Retro Housing Action Zone
This photo from the archive is a real mystery – we think this was 1985 but that’s about all we know! Retro Housing Action – a housing co-operative – wanted to buy a property and we were glad to help them. Who’s this little person? Where are they now? Were the chickens part of the […]
50 years of friendship and finance – say hello, again, to Ian Rothwell
We’re enjoying the chance to talk to people who have been involved in ICOF over the last 50 years and it’s particularly lovely to have a chance to catch up with our old Investment manager, Ian Rothwell. Ian left us early in 2022, after working for ICOF for 14 years. Here, he looks back on […]
Could you be our new Chairperson?
We are recruiting for a new Chairperson – could it be you? We are looking for a dynamic new Chairperson to lead our board in providing strong strategic support to the small executive team, chair quarterly meetings, promote high standards of governance, encourage positive change and uphold our strong ethical values and co-operative principles. What […]
Calling Members – save the date now for our AGM on the 15th June
Save the date now to join us on the 15th June for the ICOF and associated companies AGMs. Our AGM this year will again be held online. Packs and information will be available before the meeting. Any questions? Please contact Alain now.