Co-op Leader Conversation podcast
Co-op Leader Conversations is a podcast from Cooperative Business NZ featuring candid conversations with leaders, directors, academics and practitioners from cooperatives and mutuals in New Zealand and internationally.
The series explores the real-world challenges and opportunities of member-owned businesses across sectors including agriculture, health, retail, finance, housing, labour and services. Guests share practical insights on governance, capital, member engagement, leadership development, innovation, climate pressure and long-term resilience.
Together, the episodes build a growing library of co-operative leadership experience, offering grounded perspectives for directors, executives, advisers and policymakers interested in how co-ops and mutuals contribute to a more resilient and inclusive economy.
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Liz Thomas on federated housing co-operatives and what New Zealand could learn from Australia’s experience.
Craig Erasmus on active membership, capital discipline and operating a labour co-operative within the RSE scheme.
Luc Vanoirbeek on European horticultural co-ops, climate pressure and five conditions for co-operative success over the next 50 years.
Professor Murray Fulton on why large co-ops fail, early warning signs for boards, and how to keep co-operatives focused for the long term.
Emerging Leader Ashleigh Buchanan on servant leadership, inclusion and growing people capability inside a New Zealand mutual.
John Brosnan on the bioeconomy, climate innovation and why co-ops are central to Ireland’s next growth wave.
Capricorn Society CEO David Fraser on 50 years of cooperative relevance in the automotive sector.
Professor Maryline Filippi on European co-operatives, climate policy and why co-ops are an economic model for the future.
LIC CEO David Chin on genetics, innovation and the cooperative backbone of New Zealand dairy.
Pareto Toolbox’s Chris Harrop on why project portfolio management and governance matter for co-operatives navigating digital change and supply chain risk.
Centrix Managing Director Keith McLaughlin on why credit reports matter for co-operatives, from cash flow protection to risk management.
NZ Truffle Co-operative CEO Lindsay Esler on building scale for a long-cycle crop and practical lessons for new co-op founders.
ProCare Chair Dr Harley Aish on how a GP-owned health co-operative supports 160 practices, 800,000 patients and frontline care through Covid.
Ruralco CEO Rob Sharkie on keeping a 60-year-old agri co-operative relevant, navigating Covid as an essential service, and planning for 2035.
Mitre 10’s Grant Fraser on embedding sustainability in a nationwide co-op, from store level champions to circular packaging and climate targets.
MG Marketing CEO Peter Hendry on leading a major horticulture co-op through Covid, succession and labour pressures while keeping 700 growers engaged.
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