solent 250


No. 2 Southern Co-operative Talking shop in the community


You may not think that running a successful retail chain has much in common with winning a rugby match. However, Mark Smith, CEO of The Southern Co-operative, says think again


Smith believes a winning mentality is at the heart of both.


“You see it on the rugby pitch - players in a winning side know what they are doing and really believe they can succeed. In business that’s equally important – it’s about quality processes and bringing belief to the people you work with to drive a business forward,” he says.


“At The Southern Co-operative, we believe in what we do, the importance and purpose of it – and then we take it into the community.”


This can-do attitude is reflected in the caring customer service present in every one of the company’s 209 community stores and 55 funeral locations across the South of England.


Whether you’re popping into a Southern Co- op store for a pint of milk and a chilled meal on your way home, or you’re a pensioner or young mum calling in for daily provisions, you can be assured of friendly, efficient service – often from team members who are so local that they can walk to work.


‘We’re making a difference’ is the message of The Southern Co-operative, an independent regional business established more than 140 years ago and owned by its members.


“Our purpose is beyond profit,” explains Smith. “We are committed to our local


communities and to supporting sustainable business practice.


“Our convenience food stores have become a focal point for the community, particularly for older people, and we can change lives by the way we interact with local people.”


The ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’ initiative, for example, creates local fundraising partnerships, supports good causes, and encourages teams to volunteer for local projects.


Working together for the benefit of all is of paramount importance to Smith, and that includes an interaction with secondary schoolchildren to encourage them to aim high in their careers.


Appointed by HRH The Prince of Wales as responsible business ambassador for the South East, and currently chair of Business in the Community’s Solent Business Class cluster, Smith encourages local companies to engage with education.


It’s something of a personal crusade for the father of two adult sons who now both work in business.


“It’s great to be involved and to drive that agenda forward because it’s so important,” he says.


“With Business Class, we go into schools to engage with young people so they can see the opportunities out there. Contrary to the belief that working in grocery is all about stacking shelves, in reality there’s a massive range of career opportunities for them to take forward in a business like ours.”


The Southern Co-operative brings pupils into its boardroom, based at its Portsmouth headquarters, for mentoring sessions, offers Leadership role shadowing opportunities, and arranges high-quality local work experience.


Smith trained as an accountant, then worked in senior commercial and financial roles for Marks and Spencer. He joined The Southern Co-operative in 2005 as chief financial officer, and became chief executive in October 2008.


Smith adds: “We have a huge spectrum of locations and we have to stay relevant. We have to maintain a connection with our customers and the marketplace.”


That evolution has seen more locally sourced produce, Post Office counter services and coffee-to-go facilities introduced in many shops.


The company’s end-of-life services now include two eco-friendly crematoria, set in a natural environment, which offer comfort and peace to the bereaved.


In the uncertainty of the post-Brexit era, Smith believes that communities working together at ground level will be a good counterbalance – and that is something The Southern Co-operative will remain at the heart of.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH COAST – MAY/JUNE 2017


businessmag.co.uk


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