Debbie Robinson is Chief Executive Officer of OurCoop and a highly respected retail leader with more than 45 years’ experience across the UK retail sector. A passionate advocate of co-operative ethics and values, she leads one of the largest independent co-operative societies in the UK.

Debbie is a Board member of the British Retail Consortium, Vice-President of Euro Coops, Chair of the Fund for International Co-operative Development and a Visiting Professor at the University of Birmingham. Previously, she was Managing Director of SPAR UK and has held senior roles at The Co-operative Group, Marks & Spencer and WH Smith.

In 2025, following Member votes, Debbie led the transfer of engagements of Chelmsford Star Co-operative and The Midcounties Co-operative into Central Coop, now call OurCoop.

This landmark decision created the UK’s largest independent co-operative Society, bringing together more than one million Members and 13,000 colleagues.

She is a recognised champion of inclusion, sustainability and ethical retailing. Debbie was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for Outstanding Contribution to Business by the University of Birmingham in 2022 and received an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Retail Industry Awards in 2023.