Overview

With many well-known companies either originating or continuing to be structured as Co-operatives, First Potentia Co-operative is continuing this great tradition. In Australia, the top 100 co-ops, credit unions and credit mutual firms have a member base in excess of 13 million people and a combined annual turnover of AUS$14.7 billion (Co-operatives Australia 2011). Potentia is positioned to develop and support the building and construction industry with the development of service and supply companies as well as the expansion of skills training to underpin the industry’s future growth and sustainability.

The First Potentia Co-operative believes that the building and construction industry in Australia has many opportunities for growth but this will only be achieved through enhanced skills and the strategic application of targeted resources.

The Board of the Co-operative is obligated to further the business of the Co-operative, for the benefit of members and CCU holders in an ethical way, advancing the Potentia Co-operative in Australia and elsewhere, supporting the building and construction industry in general and the individual participants by any means at our disposal.

Our strategy is to develop trades and skills through the acquisition and development of building sector applicable businesses and projects which will support the employees and customers of such ventures. We will make investment decisions based on good commercial principles, while keeping these other objectives in mind. At the core, the Co-operative intends to extend the commercial performance of its acquired companies and projects through a program of excellence, achieved through skills training and individual advancement.

We believe that this will secure the best result for the industry, investors and members alike.

The Board is confident that investment in the Co-operatives will be efficiently used for the expansion of the Co-operative, and at all times the asset base of the Co-operative will exceed the capital commitment to Investors.

Unlike private or public limited companies, the registration and supervision is not under the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC). Co-operatives are registered after a long and vigorous process by the relevant State Department of Justice. Once registered, the Co-operative is supervised by the Consumer Affairs Department, to whom the Co-operative’s auditors must report. It is important that as an investor you understand the difference.


About the Co-operative

Key Parties

Co-operative Management

The First Potentia Co-operative is managed by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are also members holding shares. The Board is established with significant professional, commercial and building industry experience.

The Directors may directly or indirectly invest from time to time in the Co-operative on the same basis as other Investors in the Co-operative.

The Co-operative may use services provided by companies related to the Directors or Members “at arm’s length” terms.

Investment Committee

An Investment committee is in charge of reviewing each investment opportunity and making investment recommendations to the full Board. The Investment Committee comprises of representatives from the Board and will, from time to time, include external third party experts to provide a higher level of insight into particular investment opportunities.

The Co-operative structure

Co-operatives by their very nature are owned by the members and managed by a Board of Directors who report to the members. No member can hold more than 20% of the issued equity, which ensures that no one person or party has control. All key decisions are made by the members at general meetings. However, in practice, the Board is authorised to manage the day to day operation of the Co-operative and in particular to raise capital and make investment decisions. It is registered as a high level open Co-operative which entitles it to raise unlimited capital and to invest in any assets or project that is lawful.


Board of Directors