CSR360

Laura Vickery works as International Development Manager for The Co-operative Group, one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives. The Co-operative operates significant food retail, insurance, banking, insurance, funeral, pharmacy, travel and farming businesses.

Laura joined The Co-operative five years ago and has held a variety of roles within the Ethics and Sustainability Team during this time. This has included co-ordinating The Co-operative Bank’s research into Ethical Consumerism and co-writing The Ethical Consumerism Report, widely considered to be the authoritative record of ethical spending in the UK. She also contributes to the award-winning Sustainability Reports of The Co-operative, leading the reporting of Diversity and International Development performance.

In her present role as International Development Manager, Laura is responsible for tracking international development activity across the Co-operative Group and acting as an advocate for the business on development issues. She also helps introduce and advance international development projects - especially those with a co-operative focus, or that offer substantial development uplift for existing producer communities. This includes, for example, a recent project providing access to clean water, sanitation and renewable energy options to benefit 10,000 people based in Fairtrade sugar communities in Malawi.

Laura has a degree in History from the University of York and worked as a public services auditor for PricewaterHouse Coopers prior to joining the Co-operative Group.