Home / Business and Economy / Soaring CEO Pay Sparks Outrage at OurCoop
Soaring CEO Pay Sparks Outrage at OurCoop
29 May
Summary
- Executive pay more than tripled despite declining sales and profits.
- Members did not receive annual profit-share payments.
- CEO's total pay rose to £2.2m, including significant bonuses.
OurCoop, a mutual organization operating around 500 food stores, is under fire from its members. Despite a 4.4% decrease in sales to £844.6m and a near halving of trading profit to £4.3m in the year to January 24, executive remuneration has surged. Chief executive Deborah Robinson's total pay increased to £2.16m, including an 11.5% basic pay rise and substantial "incentive" and discretionary payments.
Selina Butterfield-Mashoofi, the finance, technology, and property officer, saw her pay more than triple to £1.13m. These significant pay increases occurred while the company decided against approving an annual profit-share payment for its members, who have instead received shopping discounts. The company attributes the remuneration changes to retaining senior talent during critical mergers and stated that previous incentive structures became obsolete.
OurCoop defends the remuneration decisions, stating they were fully detailed in the remuneration report, which was approved by members with 85% voting in favour on May 20, 2026. The executive team's pay was approved by a board democratically elected by members, with no executive team members sitting on the board or remuneration committee. The society also highlighted an £8.5m investment in staff pay raises in 2026, offering competitive hourly rates and enhanced benefits.
