Central and Midcounties Co-op merger: Debbie Robinson to lead new entity as CEO

Central Co-op and Midcounties Cooperative have announced the leadership team for the new co-operative society being created by their merger.

Debbie Robinson, Central Co-op CEO, will be the chief executive of the new society, which will be the largest independent co-operative in the country. Phil Ponsonby, Midcounties Co-operative CEO, will serve as the chief executive for integration, overseeing the programme of work required to bring the two societies together and ensure a smooth transition. He will report directly to the CEO in this role.

Elaine Dean, currently president of Central Co-op, will become president of the new society. Dean will be supported by two vice presidents: Irene Kirkman, currently president of Midcounties, and Richard Bickle, currently vice president of Central Co-op.

Following member votes held in recent weeks, the plan to merge the two societies was formally approved last week.

“I am honoured to take on the role of president of our new Society. The decision to bring together our two fantastic societies has been led by our Members and the high levels of engagement and support throughout this process is a testament to the power of co-operation,” Dean said.

Kirkman said: “It’s been encouraging to see such strong member support for our proposals. I’m pleased to be joining the new society board as vice-president and to be working with Elaine and colleagues to build a stronger, more resilient society that delivers greater value for our members, communities and colleagues.”

Robinson commented: “Creating our new society is an enormously exciting opportunity. I am honoured to have been asked by the board to take on the role of CEO and to help shape the future of a truly modern co-operative. The work to integrate our two organisations is already underway and I am delighted to have Phil’s continued support through this next phase.”

Ponsonby said: “Debbie and I have worked closely together, alongside our boards, throughout this process and share a clear vision for what our new society can achieve. As CEO for Integration, I look forward to helping ensure colleagues and members remain at the heart of every decision we make as we create our new society.”

All appointments take effect on 26 January 2026, when the legal process to create the new society completes.

The merger will create a society with one million members, 13,000 staff and annual sales of around £1.8 billion. The combined portfolio of the two businesses will include more than 500 food stores, 170 funeral homes, 70 travel agencies, and almost 50 nurseries, as well as more than 500 investment properties across the UK.

The development follows the transfer of Chelmsford Star into Central Co-op earlier this year.

In the coming days, the organisation’s members will vote on a new legal name for the society. However, the Central, Midcounties and Chelmsford Star sites and stores will continue to trade under their existing brands, with the new name only applying to the society’s legal entity.