OurCoop, an independent mutual running around 500 food stores across England, is facing backlash from members after more than tripling its chief executive's pay to £2.2 million despite declining sales and profits. The chain, separate from the Co-op Group but reliant on it for supply, has withheld an annual profit-share payment to members this year, though discounts on shopping continue.
Executive Pay Details
Total compensation for CEO Deborah Robinson reached £2.16 million, including an 11.5% basic pay increase, a £1.1 million incentive payment, and a £400,000 one-off discretionary remuneration. The finance, technology, and property officer, Selina Butterfield-Mashoofi, saw her pay package rise over 3.5 times to £1.13 million, with a £500,000 incentive and £212,015 one-off payment, while her basic salary jumped from £257,606 to £400,000.
Financial Performance
OurCoop, formed by merging Central Co-op, Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society, and Midcounties Co-operative, reported a 4.4% sales drop to £844.6 million and trading profit nearly halved to £4.3 million. Net debt rose to £36 million in the year to 24 January. The results were partly affected by a cyber-attack on the Co-op Group, which supplies goods.
Remuneration Justification
OurCoop's report stated that changes to remuneration policy were necessary because the previous one 'came under significant challenge, as we faced the very real risk of losing senior executive talent, as a result of headhunting, at an absolutely critical time, in the light of the impending mergers.' It added that 'in a year of change, previous incentive arrangements became unmeasurable and obsolete.' The report did not benchmark pay against similar businesses.
A spokesperson for OurCoop defended the pay, noting that the remuneration report was approved by members with 85% voting in favour on 20 May 2026. They emphasized that executive pay is set by a remuneration committee and approved by a democratically elected board, with no executives on the board or committee. The decisions reflected 'a year of fundamental change' and expanded role responsibilities.
Staff Pay and Benefits
OurCoop spent £8.5 million to increase staff pay in 2026, offering competitive hourly rates above the national living wage for all employees, plus paid breaks, free health checks, virtual GP service, counselling, and nutritionist access.
Member and Former Staff Criticism
One member told the Guardian they believed insufficient scrutiny was given at the annual meeting, where actual figures were not read out. They said: 'As a member, I find it incredibly difficult to understand how executive bonuses of this scale can be justified at a time when the society’s financial performance is deteriorating and members and colleagues are seeing no equivalent benefit.'
A former senior staff member commented on LinkedIn: 'Wow! After delivering such significant decline in profits and making many support office staff redundant I don’t know how such payments can be justified by the remuneration committee. Is this what Co-op values look like now?' Another described the awards as 'so galling'.
