2025 BCCM Leaders' Summit - Opening keynote

The 2025 BCCM Leaders' Summit marked a defining moment in the International Year of Cooperatives, celebrating strong, sustainable and purposeful leadership across Australia’s co-operative and mutual movement. The Summit was held in Adelaide, bringing together more than 300 leaders from over 100 co-operatives and mutuals, business, academia, government and community at the world-class Adelaide Convention Centre. Over two days, delegates shared insights, strengthened connections and explored how our sector can lead through purpose and partnership in a rapidly changing world. The Summit unfolded across three flagship events – beginning with the renowned Taste of Australia Dinner at the National Wine Centre on 23 October, followed by Breakfast on the Hill at Government House and the full-day Leaders’ Summit on 24 October. The celebrations concluded with an optional tour of the Barossa Co-op, showcasing community enterprise and local ownership in action. This year’s program featured more than 50 speakers and panellists, including international leaders shaping the future of co-operatives and mutuals worldwide. Andrew Pakes, UK Labour (Co-op) MP for Peterborough, shared insights on policy reform to double the size of the UK mutual economy. Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of Co-op Group UK, joined the Business Leaders in Conversation session to explore how purpose and performance intersect in one of the world’s oldest and largest co-operatives. Kevin Parry OBE, Chairman of Nationwide Building Society, delivered an inspiring after-dinner address, The March of the Mutuals, highlighting the resurgence of member-owned business and Nationwide’s acquisition of Virgin Money. Jeroen Douglas, Director General of the International Co-operative Alliance, closed the Summit with an international call to action for co-operatives to deepen their impact on people, planet and prosperity. Across keynotes, dialogues and interactive panels, delegates explored major themes shaping the future of our sector: the role of purpose-driven leadership, strengthening capital and member value, policy and regulatory reform, and the co-operative response to social care and housing challenges. We also celebrated outstanding achievement with the announcement of our 2025 BCCM Honour Roll inductees, recognising leaders who have made an enduring contribution to the co-operative and mutual sector.