End of an era as Heart of England Co-op chief retires after 42 years’ service

The Heart of England Co-operative Society’s chief executive has retired after 42 years’ sterling service, including nearly 20 at the helm.

It marks the end of an extraordinary career for Ali Kurji, who has been a prominent figure in the West Midlands business community for decades.

As he bowed out, Ali reflected on the fact that he was also the longest serving member of staff in an organisation employing nearly 800 people across its food and funeral divisions.

“That I have spent more than 40 wonderful years with the Heart of England Co-op and have gone past my normal retirement date shows just how much I have treasured my time here,” he said.

“It’s been a very special part of my life, but the time is right for me to pass on the baton – and I do so with the knowledge that the Society is in robust financial health. Its future is now in the safe hands of an excellent management team backed by a fully supportive board.”

Ali, who was appointed chief executive in 2004, has a remarkable back story. Born in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, he arrived in Britain alone in 1968 to train as an accountant.

Initially, he intended to return to work in the family’s importing and wholesale business, but Idi Amin put paid to that.

In 1972, the brutal dictator expelled the Indian minority and Ali’s plans were dashed.

While his parents and siblings fled to Tanzania to escape Amin’s tyranny, Ali decided to forge a new life in this country.

Recalling that time, he says: “I had never been out of Africa before. I was only 17 and it was quite daunting coming to a distant land where I knew nobody. I just had to get on with it and work as hard as I could.

“I came from a very close family. It was tough being told I would have to leave Uganda and travel to the UK on my own. However, I appreciated that my parents and my brothers were determined that I should become educated and have a good profession.”

It was while working as an auditor in Manchester that Ali became interested in the ethos of the co-operative movement. When The Co-operative offered him a job in Coventry, he had no hesitation in accepting.

The Society’s tradition of giving back to the community remained close to Ali’s heart throughout his career.

As he climbed the ladder, he made it his mission to help as many charities and organisations as he could, both personally and professionally. When Ali later returned to Uganda to reclaim his family’s lost assets, he donated the entire fortune, worth around £35,000 at the time, to poor people in India.

“This is something which was instilled in me by my dad. He raised me to be a strong believer that what I earn is not all mine. It needs to be shared out.”

In 1982, he joined the then Coventry and District Co-operative as a management accountant, progressing to accountant, general manager (finance), financial controller and secretary, deputy chief executive and finally chief executive.

Under his watch, the Society embarked on a steady expansion programme, dramatically increasing its operation and turnover which rose from £75m to £105m during his tenure, whilst its charitable giving continued to grow.

“It’s what sets us apart from giant plcs whose prime objective is to bolster the wallets of shareholders. We are rooted in our communities with the fundamental aim of giving back to them,” Ali said.

Throughout his career Ali has been recognised for his contribution to the local community through countless awards and media coverage in both the regional and national press. He won the Coventry Telegraph’s highly coveted Lifetime Achievement Award and the Businessman of the Year in the Midland Business Awards.

In his spare time, Ali is actively involved in supporting his local community in Moseley, Birmingham where he has lived for 22 years.

Ali is a keen swimmer and walker and an enthusiastic cricket fan. He also likes to spend quality time with his wife, and son Muhammed.

“I certainly won’t be twiddling my thumbs in retirement. Travel is especially important to me and I’m looking forward to having the time to visit more extraordinary places.

“I’ll often reflect on how blessed I was to have enjoyed such an enriching career.”

Clive Miles, president of the Society’s board of directors, said: “On behalf of the board and the staff, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Ali, who has guided the Society through some momentous challenges, such as the Covid pandemic, Brexit, the Credit Crunch and the continuing cost of living crisis.

“It is rare in this day and age for someone to dedicate so much of their working life to one organisation. The Society has flourished and grown under his leadership, and he will leave a lasting imprint.”

Steve Browne, formerly general manager of the Society’s food division, has taken over as chief executive.