Mike Sweatman

Mike has spent 30 years working in a workers’ cooperative and has particular
experience in four areas:

- Developing practical methods of involving employees in decision making.

- The transformation of a small organisation into a medium sized one.
- Developing an organisation to run effectively across a number of geographically
distant locations.

and last and probably most:

- The gritty commercial reality of running a small/medium sized, ethically based,

business.

In 1977 Mike was one of the founders of Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative Ltd (then
known as Recycles Ltd), a workers' cooperative and bicycle retailer. In 1978 Mike
started working full-time in the business, and a few years later was one of two people
chosen to shape strategy and develop the business, a role that he continued to play
until 2008. Operational roles that Mike has fulfilled within the business include, sales,
buying, managing IT, and accounts and finance, giving him a wide range of hands on
experience.

In 1998 Mike was appointed as the first General Manager of Edinburgh Bicycle
Cooperative, and in 2006 his title was changed to Managing Director. In 2008, after
10 years as chief executive, Mike stepped aside to take up the role of Finance director.

During Mike's time as chief executive:

- Turnover grew from £3 million to £11 million.

- Employee numbers grew from 50 to around 150.
- Two existing, but ailing, businesses were acquired (in Aberdeen and Newcastle)
and successfully turned around.
- Two new shops were successfully established (in Leeds and Manchester).
- The democratic structures within the cooperative were clarified and formalised.