21 June 2023

Colleague celebrates 40 years at Portsmouth's local co-operative

From post room clerk to chartered surveyor, a co-operative colleague has been recognised for her dedication and perseverance during her 40 years with Southern Co-op.

Reflecting on her career, Allison Mowle, from Portsmouth, praised the co-operative's values of community and equality after support for on-the-job training has meant she has enjoyed a number of varied roles at Southern Co-op.

When Allison joined the co-op straight from school, it was still known as Portsea Island Mutual Co-operative Society (PIMCO) and used to have its head office in Fratton Road opposite its flagship department store which later became The Bridge Shopping Centre.

Allison remembers a time when sacks full of post for all of Southern Co-op's retail stores and funeral branches were delivered to head office before they were sorted and redelivered by hand. They also arranged the stationery which filled the whole of the basement.

Allison, 56, said: "The business was very different from today in terms of the different functions. It not only concentrated on food stores and funeral branches, but it also operated department stores, hairdressers, butchers, dairy depots, bakery department, fuel office, Havant hypermarket, Gosport superstore, Co-op Social Club, petrol stations, travel shop, and its own maintenance department. 

"I remember the Co-op House Department Store which was a really impressive building and had a beautiful staircase leading to each floor. It sold everything from haberdashery to fine porcelain."

Allison's roles have included a Clerk Typist for the sole Accountant in 1991, an Administrator in 2001, Secretary to the Chief Executive Officer and Finance Manager in 2002, Finance Secretary in 2006, PA and Administrator to the Property Department in 2008, and Estates Surveyor in 2018.

Her training has also been extensive - two years at Eastleigh College studying for her LCCI Executive Secretary's Diploma in 2000, a Learning at Work Degree at Portsmouth University in 2006 which she received a BA in Business (with Hons) in 2009, a master's degree in Property Development at Portsmouth University in 2016, and an Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors where she qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2022.

Allison said: "I have enjoyed all of the roles as I have been fortunate to have lots of good managers over the years and lots of great colleagues. They have been very supportive as they encouraged me to do the learning.

"The APC course was quite hard going. You have to put in a lot of time but it was worth it in the end. I think learning is very important. When I left school, not many people went to college or university. You went to school and then got a job.

"I have worked for one employer for forty years but I have done lots of different jobs. For me doing all of that training, that is thanks to the co-op.

"I have seen many changes over the past 40 years but what has not changed is the company's values and principals, which still focuses on its members and serving its local communities."

Southern Co-op, the independent, local co-operative, is also celebrating a milestone this year as it has been 150 years since it was first formed in Portsmouth.

Dan Bowyer, Head of Property at Southern Co-op, said: "Allison's dedication and commitment to her work over the past 40 years is truly remarkable. She has seamlessly transitioned through various roles within the company, showcasing her adaptability and eagerness to learn.

"Her passion for the property industry is evident in the exceptional work she provides. Allison's positive attitude and attention to detail make her an invaluable asset to our team. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and grateful for her contributions to Southern Co-op."

To findout more about Southern Co-op's history or about a career with Southern Co-op, visithttps://southern.coop/.