Plunkett’s AGM: A sector in good health

Draycott Community Shop, Somerset

Reflecting on Plunkett’s activities in 2024, Stephen Nicol, Chair, said, “Despite a difficult backdrop of political change, uncertainty and continued economic challenges, the rural community ownership sector remained in good health. I am immensely proud of the role Plunkett UK played in ensuring this.”

A total of 30 new community businesses opened during 2024 and we remain on target for our strategy objective for overall sector growth over the period 2022 to 2026. By the end of the year, Plunkett represented 828 trading community owned businesses – the majority of which are based in and serving rural communities. There were a further 797 potential businesses in the pipeline, many of whom will eventually start trading.

Stephen said: “I am also pleased to report Plunkett’s highest-ever level of membership at the end of the year – 696 in total, of which 484 are community-owned businesses. Our ambition to support and represent a national movement of rural community businesses has become a reality.”

This was Stephen’s final year as a Plunkett Trustee after five years, and in the role of Chair. He recollected the changing times over the period, not least the Covid and cost-of-living crises, and change of government, saying, “Plunkett has brought stability and continuity for rural community businesses, and may that continue”.

He added, “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with the staff team, which is never content with business as usual and always looking to innovate.”

Stephen thanked our partners and funders for their continued support, and paid tribute to Helen Aldis and Martin Collett who were stepping down as Trustees. He welcomed three new Trustees, who were elected by members: Helen Jackson, Gordon Hector and Toby Sandison.

Stephen said, “Trustees remain focussed to ensure Plunkett remains in a sound financial position going forward as we start to gear up for a refresh of our strategy.” You can read from Stephen in the Annual Report and Accounts.

The Plunkett staff team at this year’s Rural Community Business Awards

Woodgate Community Shop opened in May 2024 following a partnership between Plunkett, Thakeham and the local community

James Alcock, Plunkett’s Chief Executive, began his presentation by saying it had been a challenging year due to a competitive funding environment.

The team had been affected by a high staff turnover, with seven people leaving Plunkett during the year, and the sad passing of much-loved colleague, Nina, at the end of 2024.

However, there were many positives around how we are working hard to diversify income sources through developing our corporate partnerships, with James saying: “We have turned a corner this year and we are projecting growth, with a breakeven budget in sight.”

James also shared highlights from our Impact Report. In 2024, we:

• supported 302 community groups with community ownership advice
• assisted 73 groups with adopting Plunkett model rules for a Community Benefit Society
• delivered 44 training events and webinars for members

We are incredibly proud to have helped to save several community businesses from closure, and that their five-year survival rate remains at 99%, significantly higher than other private businesses.

Plunkett continues its commitment to help community businesses to have impact in five key ways: safeguarding access to a wide range of goods and services, boosting the local economy; creating opportunities for employment, training and volunteering; tackling climate change; and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion by creating safe and welcoming spaces for all.

Mary Boullin, Head of Community Business, reiterated the message that we are here for community businesses at every stage – from early stage to trading – by providing a helpline, support from advisers, resources, webinars and training.

David Lydiat, Head of External Affairs, talked about the importance of membership to the charity, with plans to improve our offering to members, and also spoke about the role that advocacy and communications play in showcasing the community business sector among stakeholders such as policymakers and the media.

Gemma Sills, Head of Partnerships, said that, without the support of corporate friends, Plunkett cannot continue offering the support and services we do to rural communities across the UK. She talked about some of the partnerships we have, including the Co-op Retail Society Network, and said we were exploring others, with a current focus on a hospitality coalition.

Sarah Benn, Membership Manager, highlighted the relatively new focus of placemaking – putting community businesses at the heart of new housing developments – which has become a key area of diversified income for Plunkett. Alongside the established strategic partnership with Thakeham, resulting in Woodgate Community Shop opening in 2024, we have been delighted to announce new partnerships with Lands Improvement and Wates in recent months. News on another will be shared later this month – so watch this space!

To finish the meeting, it was encouraging to get several words of thanks from members for Plunkett’s ongoing support. Alison Jeffers, Chair Elect, expressed her gratitude to Stephen Nicol for his faithful leadership of the Trustees, saying she had big shoes to fill, but was looking forward to the opportunity to Chair the charity – for the work to be done and the fun to be had along the way.