In conversation with Denise Scott-McDonald

Monday November 24th 2025

On-line event, starts at 7pm

Denise Scott-McDonald will be in conversation with Mike Wistow

Denise Scott-McDonald is President of the National Members' Council (NMC) of the Co-op Group. The NMC is made up of Co-op member-owners, Co-op colleague member-owners, and representatives from independent societies. Its five key roles are holding the Co-op Group's board to account for the decisions they make and delivering value for member-owners; acting as a guardian for co-operatives way of doing things - purpose, values, and principles; championing the interests of all the Co-op member-owners; and approving or deciding on certain matters such as changes to procedures.   

As well as representing the NMC on numerous outside bodies, Denise has successfully lobbied for a change in the law to make violence against shop workers a stand alone offence. Her role and style were recently mentioned in the UK Parliament by the Chair of the Cooperative Party, Jim McMahon MP talking about the NMC in the context of creating new co-operative enterprises: “the sense of purpose, of partnership, and hope [of the NMC Members] was absolutely inspiring”.

Denise is also a councillor. In 2024, she was elected to the Royal Borough of Greenwich - a co-operative council -  and has held roles as deputy leader and Cabinet member for multiple portfolios. She is a former university lecturer and journalist.