The York Supplies Action Group consists of diverse local people who love York Supplies and want to ensure it continues. 

Nominations were invited to form a Steering Committee, which has the jobs of creating York Supplies Community Society Ltd (trading as York Supplies Community Co-op) and overseeing the election of a Board of Directors. 

When these tasks are complete the Steering Committee will dissolve itself and the new Board of Directors of York Supplies Community Society Ltd (YSCSL) will take over and run the Society and the shop for its customers and on behalf of the community.

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For now, the Action Group Steering Committee consists of:

Richard Bickle: Birmingham resident for eighteen years, with wide experience of his family’s former hardware shop in Cornwall, and over twenty-five years of working with co-operatives and social enterprises. Contributes particular skills around Third Sector governance and management.

Dominik Brotherton: (communications): life-long Birmingham resident, microbiologist and grassroots activist contributing wide-ranging skills in collaborative working, health and safety, legal requirements, ensuring accountability, grant writing, graphics and generally making things happen.

Dominique Holmes (membership secretary): moved to Kings Heath more than twenty years ago, accountant and currently finance manager for a national charity, with thirty years of business experience at Waterstones, small businesses and co-ops. Contributes accountancy skills and business knowledge.

Danielle Joseph: four years in Kings Heath, with heavy involvement in community projects, charities and volunteering, and ten years as an NHS manager, now also raising a young family. Contributes skills in governance and several types of management.

Birgit Kehrer (vice-chair): Kings Heath (and York Road!) resident for over twenty years, founder and CEO for twelve years of a community interest company supporting people back to work and pursuing positive social and environmental goals, with youthful experience of working in the family shop. Contributes business planning and strategic skills, and understanding of diversity issues.

Sush Kelly (communications – non voting): moved from Moseley to Kings Heath in 2007, a designer/developer who is involved in several community projects. Contributes IT and social media communication, design and development skills.

Allister Marshall (treasurer): Kings Heath resident for many years, retired management consultant, lecturer in Business Enterprise, Gardener’s World prizewinner, and garden designer. Contributes business and business development experience, and networks in Kings Heath and beyond.

Philip ‘Oz’ Osman: has lived in Kings Heath for nearly thirty years, carpenter with longstanding involvement in many local voluntary organisations. Contributes local knowledge and connections, and astute questions.

Naomi Standen (chair): Kings Heath resident since 2011, recovering academic with a shopkeeping upbringing, now developing a long suppressed practical side by building things for house and garden with reused materials, and transitioning into a green second career. Contributes facilitation, grant application and writing skills.

Donald Steel (secretary): Kings Heath resident for thirty years, former radio presenter and BBC spokesman now running his own public relations company. Contributes communications skills and networks, and business knowledge.

With your help the committee aims to establish the York Supplies Community Co-op, which we believe will go from strength to strength.