Justin Andersen (Vice Chair)

Born in Cardiff, and now living in Swansea, I have a firmly held belief in the co-operative model of business. I am vice chair of The Phone Co-op Board and have been a director since 2000.

All my adult life I have been involved in the co-operative movement initially as a supplier’s representative, and subsequently as an educationalist, senior manager and consultant. For ten years I was a tutor at the Co-operative College followed by eight years as Personnel and Training Manager for the, then, Oxford Swindon and Gloucester Co-operative Society Ltd.

Now a self-employed consultant I work with consumer co-ops, building societies, trade unions, trade associations and public sector educational institutions.

I am a member of the Cymru/Wales Regional Board of the Co-operative Group and a member of Swansea’s credit union.

For many years I have been an active member of the National Association of Co-operative Officials and prior to that the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, where I held office at branch, regional and national level.

This wealth of experience I bring to bear in my role as a Phone Co-op director and vice chair.

We are amongst the most successful societies in the movement. This we have achieved through a combination of entrepreneurial flair, sound financial management and sheer hard work by the Board, and a highly committed management and staff.

During my time on the Board I have taken a lead role on staff development issues, governance and on building links with the wider co-operative movement.

I represent the society on the Midland Sectional Council of Co-operatives UK and have been a frequent delegate to both Congress and the Group’s annual meetings. At Co-ops 2009 I led a debate celebrating the importance of a strong independent societies within the consumer sector of the co-operative movement.