Twenty years ago, today, the Co-operative Bank launched its ethical policy. It proved to be a pioneer of the ethical consumer movement, a commercial success over time and caught the imagination of the world.
I remember hearing Terry Thomas, CEO of the Co-operative Bank, talk at the time. “What are banks for?” he asked “if not to reflect how we want our money used.”
Today, the ethical policy has developed into a fully fledged ethical operating plan, affecting every part of the Co-operative Group, not just bank but food and pharmacy too.
If you care about social change, the good advice is to display as much joy as you do anger. We need to celebrate every step we win towards a fairer and more sustainable economy.
Happy birthday.
Ed Mayo's Blog 