All Together Money Welcomes Appointment of Government’s First Co-operatives and Mutuals Champion

28/10/2026

 All Together Money has welcomed the appointment of Andrew Pakes MP as the Government’s first Co-operatives and Mutuals Champion, marking an important step in efforts to support the growth and development of the sector.

The appointment has been recognised by the Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council, which brings together organisations representing co-operative, mutual and employee-owned businesses across the UK.

The Government has committed to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual sector, recognising the contribution these organisations make to local economies, communities and inclusive economic growth.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Council, chair Sarah McCarthy-Fry congratulated Andrew Pakes on his appointment and highlighted the importance of creating the right conditions to accelerate growth across the sector. Sarah said: “On behalf of the thousands of co‑operative, mutual and employee‑owned businesses the Council brings together, I congratulate Andrew Pakes on his appointment. We look forward to working with him to establish the conditions needed to accelerate growth, and to realise government’s ambition to double the size of the co‑operative and mutual sector.”

The Council said it looked forward to working with the new Champion to help realise the Government’s ambition, building on the role co-operatives, mutuals and employee-owned businesses play in making markets fairer and ensuring the benefits of business activity remain within the communities they serve.

The appointment follows the Government’s announcement at Co-op Congress in June 2026, where ministers reaffirmed their commitment to growing the co-operative economy and highlighted the need to raise the sector’s profile across government.

Matt Bland, Chief Executive of All Together Money, said: “We welcome Andrew Pakes MP’s appointment as the Government’s first Co-operatives and Mutuals Champion. This is an important opportunity to raise the profile of co-operatives and mutuals and ensure their contribution to the UK economy and society is fully recognised.

“With the co-operative sector generating billions of pounds in annual income and supporting millions of jobs, there is significant potential to build on this contribution and deliver more inclusive, sustainable economic growth.

“Credit unions are an important part of this wider movement, helping people save, access affordable credit and build financial resilience in their communities. We look forward to working with Andrew and partners across the Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council to help create the conditions needed for co-operatives and mutuals to grow, reach more people and realise the Government’s ambition to double the size of the sector.”

All Together Money will continue to work with government, policymakers and sector partners to champion credit unions and support the development of a stronger, more accessible and inclusive co-operative economy.