Southern Co-op is pleased to announce the appointment of Dame Janet Paraskeva as the Society’s new Chairperson.

Janet, a resident on the Isle of Wight, brings a wealth of governance experience to the role. She will now lead the Board and work with the Society’s Leadership Team on driving continued commercial success while further progressing and championing climate and wider sustainability initiatives. Her other current responsibilities include chairing the Government Legal Department and Primary Eye Care  Services, the lead provider of NHS eye care services.

Janet said, “I’m delighted to take on this role. I’ll be working with colleagues across the Society to build on achievements to date and continuing to deliver a purpose led, member owned business working together for the benefit of our communities”.

Janet succeeds Mark Ralf who has completed his maximum six year term as Chairman.

Mark Smith , Chief Executive said, ” We’re very grateful to Mark for his insightful leadership that included Southern Co-op being awarded HM, the late Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2022. ”