Swindon councillor Jim Robbins appointed Co-op Party general secretary

Jim Robbins has been appointed as the Co-operative Party’s new general secretary.

Robbins, a former council leader and leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group on Swindon Council, has served in local government since 2012 and became chair of the Co-operative Councils’ Innovation Network in 2024.

His appointment comes almost two months after his predecessor Joe Fortune became the new general secretary of the Labour Party, following the departure of Hollie Ridley.

Robbins will start in the role in early December.

It is understood that interim general secretary Caitlin Prowle did not apply for the position.

Jim Robbins said: “I am hugely excited to be taking up this role at such a crucial moment for co-operative politics.

“The first Labour and Co-operative Prime Minister in history and an agenda of devolution and community empowerment are significant opportunities for our movement, and I look forward to working with the staff team and our thousands of elected representatives at all levels to achieve our ambitions for a more co-operative country.”

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Jim McMahon, party chair and devolution minister, said he was “delighted” by the appointment and told members: “Jim brings a wealth of experience as a Labour and Co-operative councillor, council leader and champion of co-operative local government.

“He knows what it means to put co-operative principles into practice, giving communities a greater say and a genuine stake in their future.

“As we approach the centenary of our electoral agreement with the Labour Party, we have an incredible opportunity to build on a hundred years of co-operation and make democratic ownership an even greater part of Britain’s future through Andy Burnham’s government.”

McMahon also paid tribute to Joe Fortune for his “leadership and dedication” to the party.

He said: “He has made an enormous contribution to our movement and helped put us in a strong position for the years ahead.

“I would also like to thank our assistant general secretary Caitlin Prowle for stepping to steer the party as interim general secretary through this period of time.

“I’m confident Jim will bring the energy, experience and ambition to build on the progress we’ve made in recent years, strengthen our movement and help deliver the next chapter of co-operative politics.”

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