Championing women's voices at Co-op

Aspire, our biggest colleague network, enters a new era with two new co-chairs, Zoe and Sheryl, stepping in and continuing to commit to elevating every woman’s experience.

Our colleague networks are communities where people come together to amplify voices, build belonging and help shape a more inclusive culture at Coop. Aspire - our network for women, colleagues who identify as women and allies - is our largest, with well over 1,500 members. And this year, we’re welcoming two new co-chairs: Zoe Carter Hammond and Sheryl Allcock.

Sheryl has been part of Aspire for several years, moving from member, to volunteer, to planning shaper. That journey, she says, “felt really natural and organic.” Leading Aspire’s International Women’s Day activities over the last two years helped her stretch outside her day job and build a network she still relies on today. Development programmes like Women in Leadership and her Level 5 CIPD Apprenticeship have also strengthened her confidence in championing women’s experiences at work and prepared her for this step into becoming co-chair.

Zoe describes her 14 years at Coop as a “squiggly career”. After returning from maternity leave, she joined Learning Groups like Strengths and Values to reconnect with what energised her. Coaching helped her “unpicking challenges” and rebuilding her sense of direction. A natural planner at heart, Zoe loves bringing ideas, people and information together to make sense of complexity - so when Aspire’s planning role came up, she knew it was for her. Now, as Co‑Chair, she brings that same energy to connecting people around a shared purpose, creating space for others to feel included, inspired and able to make a difference together.

Their ambitions for Aspire

Both are passionate about making Co‑op a place where every woman feels seen, valued and supported, whatever their life experience. As mums, they want to strengthen support for colleagues navigating parenthood, identity shifts or returning to work. At the same time, they’re equally committed to championing colleagues who are child‑free, whether by choice or circumstance. “Everyone’s experiences are different,” Sheryl says. “We want Aspire to be a place where every woman feels able to contribute.”

 They’re also keen to welcome more allies into the network, recognising the role they play in amplifying women’s voices and driving system‑wide change. Zoe says, “if you’re looking for connection, confidence and shared purpose, Aspire is a community I’d encourage you to be part of.”

 Under their leadership, Aspire will continue to lift each other up, celebrate every voice and help colleagues grow in ways that matter to them – reinforcing the kind of inclusive colleague experience we want across Coop.

If you’re feeling inspired

You can get involved by joining as a member or volunteer through Aspire’s SharePoint or Viva page. “We want people to lean into their passions,” Sheryl says. “There’s space for everyone.”

You can also find out about all our colleague networks on our Inclusion Hub.

Zoe and Sheryl, Co-Chairs of Aspire