Hear from our Chief Executive, James Alcock, in his New Year’s message filmed at Hampstead Norreys Community Shop.
“We want to put our members at the very forefront of everything we do.”
As we step into 2026, Plunkett UK’s Chief Executive, James Alcock, shares a clear message: our members sit at the centre of everything we do.
As James explains: “2026 marks a new chapter for Plunkett, one where every service we design, every piece of policy work we undertake, and every decision we make will be shaped directly by what our members are asking.”
Watch the full video…
This year’s message is inspired by Hampstead Norreys Community Shop in Berkshire, a long standing Plunkett member of more than 15 years. With our support, the shop has grown from a simple retail space into a thriving community hub. It was the community who said that while they valued having a shop, they also cherished having a place to come together.
Over time, the committee embraced that vision. Through several phases of development, the shop has evolved into a vibrant community hub: a kitchen at its heart, a full café at the back, shelves filled with local food and displays showcasing local crafts and art. Everything reflects what the community asked for – and it continues to grow and adapt.
Hampstead Norreys embodies the very model Plunkett is now embracing for itself. Just as the shop has evolved by listening to its community, Plunkett will evolve by listening to its members.
Join our strong network of members!
As we enter 2026, our members sit at the heart of everything we do. By becoming a member you will join a strong network of community businesses, individuals and organisations that help us continue to be the voice of rural communities in the media and government. Help us make rural voices heard – become a member today.
