Emelita Robbins

I am a believer in the power of businesses and communities to do good.  I have a background as an experienced board member and award-winning C-suite executive in the not-for-profit sector, which is complemented by a distinguished legal career. I have strong ethical values aligned to those of the Society and I am passionate about local businesses being a force for good for local people. 

I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to undertake a number of roles in my career with organisations like the CI Coop that have a vision to make a real difference to the communities they service. These range from leading a school governing body, to being Chief Executive of Jersey Hospice Care, and the Chair of the Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change. 

During my tenure as CEO of Jersey Hospice Care I actively challenged Government to support the delivery of palliative care in the island, to ensure that the ‘business’ of Hospice was on a secure financial foundation. I negotiated a strategic leadership role for the charity in the delivery of end-of-life care in Jersey and with that the first funded service level agreement. This enabled end of life care to be delivered in the community for the first time, (that is outside of the Hospital) to non-cancer patients and young people. Similarly as Chair of the Jersey’s Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change, I led the process that enabled local people to learn about the threat of climate change and to participate in the policy decision making process that would lead to the adoption of a carbon emission reduction roadmap for Jersey. More recently I have been supporting initiatives designed to improve the local food and rural economy. This includes championing supply chain management systems that make efforts to have more locally grown foods available in our stores and measures to help people 'eat better', because I believe good health starts at the dining table. 

For many years I was a commercial lawyer and practiced in London with global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, before returning and qualifying as a Jersey Advocate with Ogier. I worked with and advised businesses of different sizes and with differing values and cultures. In all cases I worked with commitment and dedication in the service of the organisation and with a genuine desire to do the right thing. I now work as an advisor and consultant to businesses drawing on my professional experience. My focus is always on people and purpose, because I believe people are at their most engaged and powerful when they understand what the strategy and the ‘why’ of the organisation is. 

The CI Coop is unique with its strong Vision and Values and its Channel Island member ownership structure. The opportunity to be part of the Board hugely excites me. Lots of organisations talk about social and sustainability initiatives but without a real connection to stakeholders are often unable to drive those changes fully through. The real strength of the CI Coop is its close relationship therefore to the members, who are also members of the community the Society serves. I would like to support the initiative being considered to create a 'Members' Council' to make sure that the members' voice across both islands is heard and to ensure that the CI Coop as a leading responsible retailer makes as much difference to the communities it serves as possible.

I would like to use my skills and experience and passion for our local community, to deliver for the business, to see the CI Coop grow
- financially with a balanced return of profits to members;
- socially by helping charities and community organisations in the most effective way; and 
- environmentally by the adoption of measures that reduce impacts, create less waste, and more reuse.

I also believe my background at Hospice can contribute to the success of the growing pharmacy sector and the funeral care business.

Thank you for taking an interest in my application. I hope it will have your support. 

Proposed by: Louise Magris
Seconded by: Maureen Neighbour