From recognising the resilience of community businesses to unveiling a new five-year strategy, this year’s AGM looked ahead to the future of the movement.
On Wednesday 9 September 2026, Plunkett UK held its Annual General Meeting with around 70 members and representatives from across the community business sector attending.
As part of the online meeting, we shared the Annual Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 2025.
As well as the AGM formalities and voting processes, we launched our new five-year strategy setting out our ambition to grow the size, reach and impact of the rural community business sector and respond to the challenges facing rural communities.
Alison at the awards
Communities continue to show strength in challenging times
Reflecting on her first year as Chair, Alison Jeffers praised the resilience and determination of community businesses across the UK. Despite rising costs and ongoing economic uncertainty, she highlighted how communities continue to come together to protect vital local services, demonstrating the enduring strength of the community ownership model.
Alison also reflected on the importance of connecting directly with members and partners throughout the year. She highlighted key events including the launch of Plunkett’s Better Business Report at the House of Lords, the publication of the organisation’s Impact Report at The Shard, and the annual Plunkett Awards. These occasions provided opportunities to celebrate the achievements of community businesses, showcase their impact and strengthen the growing community business movement across the UK.
The Better Business report launch
Looking ahead: building a stronger movement and a stronger Plunkett
Looking to the future, Alison said: “I am excited to help guide Plunkett into its next strategic phase. This will see us evolve from a highly regarded national organisation into an even stronger, more connected movement.”
She acknowledged the financial challenges facing charities across the sector and stressed the importance of building a more diverse and sustainable income base. Welcoming the development of new commercial partnerships and revenue streams, Alison said these will play a key role in strengthening Plunkett’s resilience and supporting delivery of its new five-year strategy. She also thanked outgoing Trustee Jeevan Jones and former Chair Stephen Nicol for their contributions, while welcoming new Trustees Charles Campion and Robin Frieth to the Board.
A new strategy shaped by the movement
James Alcock, Plunkett’s Chief Executive, closed the meeting by announcing the launch of the organisation’s new five-year strategy, highlighting that it has been shaped by extensive input from members, trustees and staff.
James explained that while Plunkett’s vision of thriving, inclusive and resilient rural communities remains unchanged, the strategy responds to the growing challenges facing rural areas and community businesses. He reaffirmed Plunkett’s mission to help rural communities create and sustain community-owned businesses, while broadening the organisation’s role in building a stronger national movement.
Emphasising that Plunkett’s support extends far beyond helping communities establish businesses, James said: “Community ownership is not an end in itself. It is the means by which people create better outcomes for people, the economy and the environment.”
James at this year’s Rural Community Business Awards
Building a stronger movement
James outlined how members had highlighted the challenges facing rural communities, including rising costs, unemployment, the loss of local services and growing loneliness. In response, the new strategy is built around three priorities: Stronger Community Businesses, Stronger Movement and Stronger Plunkett.
He explained that the strategy will deliver enhanced support for both start-up and established community businesses, create stronger opportunities for members to connect and learn from one another, and build a more influential collective voice with government, funders and partners. He added that, for members, this means Plunkett will listen first and act second, ensuring that the services it develops, the issues it campaigns on and the partnerships it builds are increasingly shaped by the needs and experiences of community businesses themselves.
James concluded by saying: “Our ambition is not just to see more community businesses, but stronger businesses working together as a more visible and influential movement, helping create thriving, inclusive and resilient rural communities across the UK.”
