Co-op
The Co-op Group, the UK’s largest consumer co-operative, launches a Levelling Up Impact Report with the Purpose Coalition, assessing its current impact on levelling up across the country and recommending further action for the future.
Chair of the Purpose Coalition, Rt Hon Justine Greening, said:
“I’m proud to launch this Levelling Up Impact Report with the Co-op Group today. Making a positive impact and creating a fairer society is in its DNA and its sense of purpose shines clearly and brightly in everything it does. As the report shows, it is already doing outstanding work across the country but its extensive reach and brand recognition means that it has the potential to do even more and, crucially, set a gold standard for what it means to be a purpose-led business.
“The economic and social challenges that the country is currently facing – our recovery from the pandemic and the growing pressures of the cost of living crisis – means that the role it can play on delivering social good has never been more important. The Co-op gets to the heart of what matters most in a community. Its deep knowledge of those it serves enables it to understand what they really need to thrive and their local partnerships help to deliver it. The synergy between business and community is mutually beneficial - the Co-op can focus its efforts on those who need the most help and, in return, communities receive well-targeted and tailored support that is better placed to make a difference.
“Measuring an organisation’s progress on how it is levelling up is key. It’s how things get done. As a leading member of the Equality of Opportunity Coalition, the Co-op has committed to measuring and reporting the socio-economic background of their employees as part of its wider efforts to ensure that everyone has access to opportunity, regardless of background or where they are from. It is setting an example that I hope other businesses will follow and I am looking forward to working with its leadership team to help shape the levelling up agenda.”