February 1, 2023 at NOMA, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England — The Global Executive Masterclass delegates had an Interactive Learning and Networking Session at One Angel Square.

One Angel Square has been nicknamed the ‘Sliced Egg’ because of its distinctive shape. It is the head office of the Co-operative Group (Co-op); a British consumer co-operative with a group of retail businesses including food retail, wholesale, e-pharmacy, insurance and legal services, and funeral care. The landmark building is one of the most sustainable large buildings in Europe and is the only commercial building in the United Kingdom to achieve maximum ratings in energy and sustainability performance by the three main rating systems. It has BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Outstanding’ accreditation and an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate and Display Energy Certificate. It is also an energy-plus building, producing surplus energy and zero carbon emissions, in the process setting a new national benchmark in sustainable design within the commercial sector. Needless to say, the Co-op outdid themselves in complying with United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Nos. 9 – Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure, 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities, and 13 – Climate Action.

The delegates were also treated to a tour of the ‘Co-op Quarter’ where the head offices for the Co-operative Bank and the Co-operative Insurance Society (CIS) are located. The CIS Tower is an office skyscraper which sits just opposite of One Angel Square. The tower was designed as a prestige headquarters to showcase the Co-operative movement in Manchester. Back in 2010 the ‘Co-op Quarter’ started from a plan for a new £1bn city-center district in Manchester, it was envisioned to transform a 20-acre site into up-market shops, offices, and public squares. The project was largely bankrolled by the Co-op and other private businesses, which created at least 15,000 jobs and helped Manchester weather the recession. Checking yet another two boxes on the UN SDGs, namely: 1 – No Poverty and 2 – Decent Work & Economic Growth.