Yesterday (9th June), I had the honour of visiting 10 Downing Street alongside my colleagues Bethan Webber (CEO of Cwmpas) and Dr. Daniel Roberts (Policy and Engagement Officer at Cwmpas) for a special reception celebrating the vital contributions of co-operatives and mutuals to the UK economy. Hosted by Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, and Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds (no relation, by the way), the event brought together around 100 people from across the UK involved in co-operatives, mutuals, and credit unions.
Held in the beautiful garden of No. 10, the gathering had a relaxed atmosphere, offering a rare opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals from across the country.
One of my first encounters was with the brilliant @Linda Harris OBE, founder of the incredible Spectrum Healthcare CIC providing health support for people in vulnerable circumstances. As we waited at the gates, Linda immediately put me at ease, and we walked in together, stepping into the famous Downing Street courtyard.
Another memorable conversation was with Cardiff-based Iain Mansfied, Chief Financial Officer of the Principality Building Society, who shared insights into their charitable foundation and their innovative financial literacy programme for schools in Wales.
A particularly exciting introduction was to the team at Câr y Mor, a remarkable Welsh social enterprise dedicated to regenerating the Pembrokeshire economy through sustainable seaweed and shellfish farming. Their work is creating long-term employment opportunities and helping to shift the region away from the reliance on seasonal jobs.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Ann Tyler, Chair of Ownership at Work and a legal expert in employee ownership. With family roots in Maesteg, we had yet another great Welsh connection to celebrate.
The event’s key message focused on the UK government’s ambitious plan to double the size of the co-operative sector. It will be fascinating to see what investment and support emerge to make this vision a reality—especially within the Welsh context.
For me, it’s crucial that social enterprises more broadly are considered within this strategy. They generate significant—though often difficult to quantify—social returns, particularly in Wales’s most deprived areas. While the co-operative and social enterprise sector in Wales is growing, it remains relatively small, with the majority consisting of SMEs and micro-businesses.
To truly maximise impact, we need more ambitious co-operative and social enterprise ventures while also nurturing the 97% of the sector that comprises smaller businesses—those making profound economic, health, and social contributions in communities across the country.
Co-operatives play a critical role, but it’s equally important to highlight the broader social enterprise movement and its vibrant, diverse contributions to social change. Encouraging diverse business models is mentioned in Labour’s Manifesto, which will hopefully translate to more support for our sector.
And lastly—yes, I did manage to meet Larry the Cat! A few of us cat lovers even snuck in a photo. It wasn’t the highlight of the day (honestly!), but it was certainly a fun bonus.