Linda Ward (chair)

Although my background is in nursing, when my three sons were young, I did many different part time jobs which I was able to fit in around their needs.  As the children grew older and attended senior school I was able to return to full time work, and I attended college for several years to further my education.  I have always worked in the public sector and my last post was working as a Parish Clerk for a large rural parish council in the Midlands.  I took early retirement and my husband and I moved to Mid Wales in 2001, during which time I have pursued my own interests doing voluntary work as a Canine Psychologist, working with Pets as Therapy in a hospital and becoming involved with the co-operative movement.

In 2003 I was elected to represent my local community on the Area Committee of the Co-operative Group. During this time I’ve become actively involved in the wider co-operative movement.  I’m a Director of Co-operative Action which launched the Enterprise Hub that supports the creation and growth of sustainable co-operative businesses in the UK as well as supporting overseas co-operative development projects.  I firmly believe that co-operatives are a better way of doing business.  Communities are currently setting up, running and growing member-owned enterprises (notably there has been a welcome increase in community shops) embracing the spirit of co-operation and having a say in the running of businesses and services that impact on them.

I am committed to our co-operative values and principles, to diversity, to training, and to environmental issues (I’m currently supporting local Transition Town initiatives).  I will do my utmost to promote the Phone Co-op and facilitate its continued growth, and will always ensure that the views of the key stakeholders are listened to and acted upon.