Co-op Conversations with Denise Scott-McDonald

In November 2025, Mike Wistow was in conversation with Denise Scott-McDonald, 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.   

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

In 2024, Denise 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.