News
‘Fear and alienation’: Senior Co-op staff complain of ‘toxic’ culture at the top
According to the Co-op’s legal representatives, the complaints filed do not reflect the overall sentiments of the staff.
The Co-op, a 180-year-old member-owned business, is facing criticism from senior managers who claim that the company's executive level has a "toxic culture" that contradicts its stated ethical values.

A letter sent to Co-op board members, obtained by the BBC, expresses concerns about "fear and alienation" among senior staff who are hesitant to voice their opinions about the company's direction due to the leadership team, which includes CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq.
Multiple sources have stated that the company's culture discourages challenges to authority, resulting in a series of poorly made decisions that have led to low morale, sudden departures, and significant financial losses, including a sharp decline in profits and a surge in food waste.
The Co-op's lawyers have responded to these criticisms, stating that they do not recognize the comments and do not believe they reflect the views of the company's broader leadership and colleagues.
A senior manager told the BBC that their advice was initially ignored and eventually met with hostility, creating an environment where employees feel unable to express their opinions: "You learn to keep quiet and avoid speaking up, as those who do are often targeted."
The letter, which claims to represent the views of numerous senior managers, was emailed to the chair and another board member over two weeks ago and alleges that the leadership's behavior has severely damaged the company's culture.
Several senior-level sources have confirmed the contents of the letter, stating that they have personally experienced intimidation and fear when speaking up in front of top executives.
Although the company responded quickly to a devastating cyber-attack that cost £206m in lost sales, the letter argues that the subsequent decision to restock shelves with available products, regardless of their suitability, led to a decline in sales and profits, as well as increased food waste.

According to one source, the company was sending alternative products to fill shelf space, such as parsnips, to replace items that were out of stock, like steak.
A Co-op spokesperson acknowledged that the company had to make difficult decisions during a challenging period, but did not elaborate on the specifics.
Despite the disruption caused by the cyber-attack, the Co-op proceeded with plans to merge its retail, wholesale, and third-party buying functions into a single unit, Group Commercial and Logistics (GCL).
Experienced staff warned that this reorganization would cause disruption and create confusion among suppliers, but their concerns were not addressed.
Senior managers believe that the company's ongoing decline in operating performance can no longer be attributed to the cyber-attack and is instead the result of poor decision-making, including the GCL restructuring.
The Co-op has reported declining monthly sales compared to the previous year since July 2025, making it one of the worst performers in the grocery sector, with its market share near record lows.
A Co-op spokesperson highlighted the company's solid financial position, with reduced debt and significant cash reserves, providing a financial safety net.
Following the GCL restructuring, numerous colleagues, including senior personnel, have left the business.

Several key executives, including Jerome Saint-Marc, Sinead Bell, Adele Balmforth, and Rebecca Oliver-Mooney, have departed the company in the last six months.
The letter to the board claims that many decisions have been poorly made, ignoring advice and communicated carelessly.
A Co-op spokesman stated that the company's decision-making process involves listening to various views from leaders and colleagues, acknowledging that not everyone will agree with the final decisions.
However, one source described the company's current state as "toxic," with a ruined collaborative culture, low morale, and a sense of shock among employees.
Another source compared the situation to "corporate gaslighting," where top management claims everything is fine despite evidence to the contrary.
The Co-op's history dates back to 1844, when the Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers established a store to provide quality food at fair prices to working-class neighborhoods.
The company's code of conduct emphasizes the importance of creating an open and supportive working environment.
The code states that the Co-op is committed to conducting business in a safe, honest, and ethical manner, including maintaining an open and supportive work environment.
One staff member expressed disappointment, saying that the company's treatment of colleagues and the business itself betrays its stated values.
A Co-op spokesperson emphasized that the company's colleague engagement remains high and that its culture and ethos promote constructive and cooperative behavior among leaders and colleagues.
The Co-op is owned by its 6.5 million members, who historically received a dividend from profits.
The dividend was abolished in 2014, with profits now used to lower member prices and fund community projects, including the operation of dozens of academy schools in disadvantaged areas.
News
UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances
The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.
In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.
The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.
Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.
The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.
The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.
Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.
With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.
In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.
Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.
Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.
The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.
Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.
Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.
Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.
After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.
Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.
In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.
For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.
In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.
News
GB’s Bankes knocked out in snowboard cross quarterfinals
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain was knocked out in the quarter-final stage of the women’s snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Charlotte Bankes of Great Britain has been knocked out of the women's snowboard cross event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, failing to advance beyond the quarter-final stage.
For more Winter Olympics coverage, videos are available to stream.
Access to Winter Olympics video content is restricted to users in the United Kingdom.
News
Family of Murder Victim Expresses Frustration Over Delayed Trial Scheduling
A 21-year-old woman, Chloe Mitchell, lost her life in June 2023, and a man is set to stand trial, facing a murder charge.
The family of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from Ballymena, is facing further uncertainty as they await the outcome of a trial for her alleged murderer, which may be impacted by an ongoing barristers' strike.

Chloe Mitchell's life was cut short in June 2023, when she was killed in an incident that has left her family and community in shock.
Brandon John Rainey, the man accused of her murder, is scheduled to stand trial on February 23, but the proceedings may be delayed due to the industrial action by defence barristers.
Following a recent court hearing to review trial arrangements, Nadine Mitchell, Chloe's sister, expressed her family's distress and frustration, telling BBC News NI that they are struggling to cope with the uncertainty.
Nadine Mitchell stated that her family has been left with no choice but to wait once again for a resolution, having already endured a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty.
The family's emotional turmoil is evident, with Nadine describing the experience as a prolonged period of distress, marked by sleepless nights and unbearable tension.
The Mitchell family is struggling to come to terms with their situation, which has left them feeling overwhelmed and distraught.
The current strike by defence barristers in Northern Ireland, which began last month, is a result of a long-standing dispute over legal aid fees, with barristers arguing that their fees have not kept pace with inflation.
The strike has brought almost all criminal trials in Northern Ireland to a standstill, with the exception of cases where the defendant does not require legal aid.
The Mitchell family has appealed for their case to be treated as an exception, allowing the trial to proceed as scheduled.
Chloe Mitchell, who was 21 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing in early June 2023, prompting an extensive search operation.
Her remains were discovered about a week later, following a series of searches in the Ballymena area.
Brandon John Rainey was subsequently arrested and charged with Chloe's murder, which is alleged to have taken place between June 2 and June 5, 2023.
Rainey also faces a charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a deceased body.
The dispute between barristers and the Department of Justice centres on the level of legal aid fees, which barristers claim have not increased since 2005.

Barristers argue that the fees have not kept pace with inflation, resulting in a significant decrease in their real-terms value over the past 20 years.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned that the low fees have created a crisis in the justice system, with many younger barristers refusing to take on legal aid cases due to the low rates of pay.
The CBA has described the strike as a "last resort" in their dispute with the Department of Justice, which has been ongoing for some time.
Despite an announced 16% increase in fees, which is set to take effect in mid-January, the strike has continued, with barristers arguing that the increase does not go far enough to address their concerns.
Chloe's father, George Mitchell, has previously appealed for an exception to be made in their case, allowing the trial to proceed despite the strike.
George Mitchell has argued that any delay to the trial would cause further trauma and distress for the families of victims.
He had invited Justice Minister Naomi Long to meet with him and his wife, Georgina, to discuss the matter further.
However, Minister Long has stated that it is not feasible to allow individual cases to proceed while the dispute over legal aid fees remains unresolved, citing ethical and practical concerns.
The minister has reiterated that the decision to grant exceptions lies with the CBA, which must weigh the competing demands of their members and the needs of the justice system.
-
News11 hours agoAustralian Politics Faces Questions Over Gender Equality Amid Sussan Ley’s Appointment
-
News8 hours agoFarage Says Reform to Replace Traditional Tory Party
-
News8 hours agoWrexham Pair Seek Win Against Former Team Ipswich
-
News13 hours agoLiberal Party Removes Australia’s First Female Leader
-
News11 hours agoUK Braces for Cold Snap with Snow and Ice Alerts Expected
-
News8 hours agoHusband’s alleged £600k theft for sex and antiques blamed on drug side effects
-
News2 days agoSunbed ads spreading harmful misinformation to young people
-
Business14 hours agoBBC Reporter Exposed to Cyber Attack Due to Vulnerabilities in AI Coding Tool
