Global co-ops leader forecasts unparalleled growth for sector

02 March 2016

The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), the peak body for co-operatives globally meets in Sydney this week for the first time in the organisation’s 120 year history.

The Alliance is headed by Monique Leroux, CEO of Desjardin Group, Canada’s largest financial co-operative with $229 billion in assets and over 7 million members.

In an interview with the ABC’s The Business programme yesterday, Ms Leroux identified major growth opportunities for the co-operative sector in banking, insurance, agri-food and energy sectors.

Representatives from 19 nations make up the ICA Board, with the leaders of the largest co-operative medical system in the world (Unimed – Brazil), and a peak body providing 12% of the US with energy (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) among those being represented.

Greg Wall, Group CEO of automotive co-operative Capricorn Society, a BCCM member, also sits on the global board as the first Australian representative.