Paul Lockwood , Head of Procurement at Central Co-op , outlines the importance of sustainability in his own department and across the entire organisation
CENTRAL CO-OP
Paul Lockwood , Head of Procurement at Central Co-op , outlines the importance of sustainability in his own department and across the entire organisation
Central Co-op can trace its history all the way back to the mid-19th century , when the modern co-operative movement was just taking off . Today , it exists as the second-largest co-operative in the UK , having assumed its current form following the merger of Anglia Regional Co-operative Society and Midlands Co-operative Society back in 2013 .
At the heart of Central Co-op ’ s operations is its retail offering , consisting of more than 250 convenience stores across the nation . On the other side of the business is the funeral division , comprising 180 funeral homes , a crematorium , three stone masonry outlets and a coffin factory . And that ’ s without even mentioning the organisation ’ s property arm , responsible for buying , selling and maintaining thousands of buildings .
Many of Central Co-op ’ s core values remain the same as those established around 175 years ago but , in 2021 , the company unveiled its new purpose : to ‘ create a sustainable society for all ’. This ethos now stretches right across the business , impacting decision-making and actions at every level of all departments .
That includes in the field of procurement , which is headed up at Central Co-op by Paul Lockwood , who joined the company in February last year .
“ Within that new strapline there are numerous themes ,” explains Lockwood .
54 November 2023