Aaron Hirtenstein

Aaron first discovered co-ops after a chance canoe trip down the River Thames – he has never looked back.

He was a founder member of Agile Collective and helped develop CoTech, and is currently providing finance and operational support to Open Food Network UK, a platform co-op. Aaron is also the Community Lead for Open Digital Co-operative, a new multi-stakeholder co-op for councils and suppliers.

Outside of co-ops, Aaron has two young boys who keep him honest. When time allows, he enjoys getting out into the hills on his bike or two feet, pootling about in his garden or playing the odd game of cricket for St Boswells CC.

Brian Morgan

Through his trade unionist mother and his own experiences, Brian saw the power in mutual aid and truly working together.

Having seen companies pretending to care but ultimately prioritising profit, Brian set up his own entity, Jangling Space, as a co-operative so care was truly at its heart.
He has since completed the Barefoot training course and helped many groups consider co-operation as a business model, mainly in the cultural/arts sector, as well as co-researching and co-authoring a NESTA report into cultural co-operatives in Scotland.

Outside co-ops, he is a regular long distance runner.  He also accumulates far too many vinyl records.

Jaye Martin

Jaye has a background in law, and got into co-ops by wondering if there was a better alternative to the cut and thrust of the corporate world…

As a co-op adviser Jaye has expertise in governance, business planning and strategy, collaborative bidding, funding and investment opportunities. She also provides technical advice and input for briefing papers, webinars, case studies, training materials, and national policy. She is currently a trustee on the board of Co-operative and Community Finance.

In her life pre-kids, she had memorable adventures in the Alps, Himalayas and Mt. Kilimanjaro. Now she has adventures in the Scottish Hills and likes exercise, reading and gardening

Joanne Elston

Jo has been involved in co-operatives for over 7 years since first getting involved with SHRUB Co-op. She found being part of a co-op a rewarding (if sometimes frustrating) experience and wanted to learn more and find solutions to some of the frustrations.

Jo is trained in Facilitation and Conflict Resilience, and is a Registered Community Shares Practitioner. Alongside Co-operate Scotland, she works part time with the Rockfield Centre as a community engagement and volunteer co-ordinator in Oban.

Outside of work, Jo enjoys lino printing as a creative outlet and getting up into the hills when the Scottish weather allows it.

Louise Scott

Louise’s first co-op inspiration came from a women’s publishing collective in the 1980s. She’s since had over 20 years hands-on experience in co-ops including as a founder member, producer and general manager of media co-op.

Louise is active in workers.coop, a Social Enterprise Scotland board member, represents worker co-ops on the Inclusive and Democratic Business Alliance Scotland, and co-facilitates Glasgow’s monthly co-ops meet-ups. She also helped set up Europe’s first arts, culture and heritage lobby organisation.

When not co-operating or volunteering, Louise is usually either at her allotment or out on her bike somewhere in Scotland, foraging and wild camping.

Martin Meteyard

Martin has worked in and with co-ops for over 40 years – starting with 15 years at Greencity Wholefoods, followed by 6 years as the Co-operative Group’s membership and community affairs manager in Scotland. These days he works as a co-op adviser through Co-ops UK, Plunkett and others.

Martin is a passionate Fair Trade campaigner, co-founding Equal Exchange UK, serving on the boards of Cafédirect and Zaytoun, and helping Scotland to achieve Fair Trade Nation status as chair of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.

He delights in making jam with fruit from his garden, and has accumulated far too many old books (mostly about co-ops!).

Mike Shaw

Mike first got into co-ops after some awful experiences with housing as a student, inspired by the student housing co-operative model in North America. He didn’t realise the extent to which co-ops would consume his life…

As co-founder of Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative and Student Co-op Homes, housing co-ops are Mike’s area of expertise. He also has an interest in the community right to buy process and how communities can take democratic control of assets. He is currently involved with a community group trying to buy their local church.

Outside of co-ops, Mike enjoys reading, woodworking, and model railways.

Scott Erwin

Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, industrial action was prevalent, so from an early age, Scott saw the value in mutual aid and communities working together.

Having worked at Greencity Wholefoods for 30 years, Scott enjoys assisting new co-ops through peer-to-peer learning. Alongside his passion for a fairer food system, he was Director of Kinning Park Complex for 9 years, helping bring the asset into community ownership. Scott enjoys volunteering for the Glasgow Fairtrade Co-op and the Calton Weavers Memorial Committee. 

Outside of co-ops, Scott enjoys spinning 45s, amateur joinery and kayaking.

Tor Justad

Tor has worked as a freelance co-operative and social economy adviser since 1994 both in the UK and overseas.

Tor’s areas of expertise include effective governance, rural and island co-ops, co-op start-ups and transnational study visits. He is also passionate about the potential for co-op involvement in the renewable energy sector.

He is on the boards of the Association of Community Enterprises in the Highlands & Islands (ACEHI), Highlands & Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC), and the Great Glen Energy Co-op.

Tor is a keen coastal rower and can often be found on a boat.