2 European members elected to ICA Board

Cooperatives Europe is glad to announce and congratulate the two newest European members of the Board of the International Co-operative Alliance, Ben Reid from Midcounties Co-operative, UK and Dmitry Zubov from Centrosoyuz, Russia.  The election held during the annual General Assembly in Quebec saw the members chosen from a pool of five candidates during the International Summit of Cooperatives.

Ben Reid, accountant by profession, is currently the CEO of Midcounties Co-operative employing over 9000 staff with an annual turnover of £1 billion. It is the most diverse, innovative and democratic consumer co-operative in the UK and under Ben’s leadership it has moved into childcare, travel, health and energy fields. 

According to Co-operative news, after the vote, Ben Reid commented: “I am stunned, I cannot think of a higher accolade for someone who has been in the movement for 34 years than being a member of the global board. I want to come along and work in the interests of all the members to take this great movement forward.”

Dmitry Zubov, the Chairman of Central Union of Consumer Societies of the Russian Federation holds a PhD in scientific works in the field of economy. He has created and managed the Soviet-Union Centre of youth housing cooperatives. He has also worked at the Soviet Union Centre for Cinema and Television for Youth promoting co-operative principles and values among young people.

We wish the newly elected members every success and we are confident that their election will reinforce the European voice within the Board for the benefit of the ICA.  

Click to find out more about the election