Nisa members are being asked for their views on Lord Myners’ report into governance at the organisation.

The former Labour politician and life peer was commissioned by the Nisa board in February to conduct an independent review after confidential material was leaked to the national press. Last year he completed a similar review at the Co-operative Group.

Myners’ report, which has been seen by Convenience Store, describes the Nisa board as “sub-optimal over many years”, resulting in “confused strategy, some poor performance and a breakdown of trust between the members and the centre”.

Recommendations for improvements include a reduction in the size of the board, a simplified voting process and better training for new board members. Myners also suggests a reform of proxy voting to prevent factions within the membership from exerting “disproportionate control”.

Further reforms include simplifying the rebate system, establishing members’ advisory groups to inform directors about prevailing market conditions, and improved communication from the centre.

Nisa members attending the group’s recent exhibition were encouraged to give their views on the report either in person or by text, and there will be a series of regional meetings in the coming weeks where retailers can air their views.

Source

David Rees