A Union for Co‑operatives
As the ideals of Co‑operation started to take hold in the UK, the early co‑operators realised they needed a central body for the Movement to form around.
They formed the Co‑operative Union in 1869, charging it with spreading the ideals of co‑operation throughout the world and engaging with Government to ensure that Movement would thrive. Though its fortunes changed as time went by, the Co‑operative Union carried out those same functions for over 100 years.
The idea of a Union for Co‑operatives and what it should do lives on in Co‑operatives UK.
In its early year The Co‑operative Union lacked a permanent home but, following the death of co‑operative activist and historian George Jacob Holyoake, the Movement decided to rectify this oversight. Following donations from co‑operative societies, Holyoake House was opened in 1911 and became the Union's central office for the rest of its life. Holyoake House is now the home of Co‑operatives UK.
Dame Pauline Green became the Co‑operative Union's last Chief Executive on New Year's day 2000. She was charged by the Co‑operative Union's Board with forging stronger links throughout the Movement and with bringing together The Co‑operative Union the Industrial Common Ownership Movement and The United Kingdom Co‑operative Council in a single organisation - a task that led to the eventual rebranding of the new organisation as
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