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Paul Chandler

A resident of Durham, Paul is best known for his work in the field of responsible and ethical business, having been chief executive of the pioneering fair trade organisation Traidcraft from 2001-2013 and a board member of the Co-op Group since 2015.   At the Co-op he is a Member Nominated Director with a particular responsibility for ensuring the views and interests of Co-op members and customers are taken into account in board discussions, and he takes a lead on promoting ethical supply chains and encouraging environmental sustainability.

 His previous career included nearly a decade with Barclays Bank and nine years as chief executive of the Christian publishers and booksellers SPCK.  Paul also serves as a trustee or director for a wide range of charities and organisations in the North East, nationally and internationally.  These include being Chair of Durham Cathedral’s Council, Vice Chair of St Chad’s College in Durham University and Vice Chair of the County Durham Community Foundation.  He is also a non-executive director of the Newcastle-based Shared Interest – a fair trade lending organisation supporting fair trade producer co-operatives around the world. 

 Married to Sarah, a local GP, Paul has three adult daughters, one of whom is a nurse and another a medical student – giving him a range of insights into the work of the NHS.