Martina - Store Manager London

From MBA Student to Store Manager: Martina Shares her Co-op Journey in London

"I never thought leadership was for me because I was such a shy person. Looking back now, it's amazing to see how much I've grown."

Martina Sutharsan - Store Manager, Tulse Hill, London

Why did you choose to move to London and join Co-op?

I moved to London in 2006 to study for my MBA after completing a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. Like many students, I needed a part-time job while I was studying, so I joined Co-op in 2007 as a part-time baker. At the time, I never imagined it would become a long-term career.

Co-op was my first job in the UK and my first experience of working in retail. What appealed to me was the people, the teamwork and the opportunity to learn. Nineteen years later, I'm still with the business and proud of the career I've built here.

How did you progress from a part-time baker to Store Manager?

My journey has taken me through several different roles. After joining as a part-time colleague, I was promoted to a Team Leader role within three months. Later, I became a Team Manager and spent eight years developing my skills, gaining experience and balancing my career with raising my family.

For a long time, I didn't think a Store Manager role was for me. I'm naturally quite shy and I didn't see myself as a leader. Eventually, I decided to challenge that mindset. I started learning more about the financial and operational side of the business and prepared myself for the next step. When the opportunity came, I went for it and became a Store Manager.

Looking back, I'm proud of how far I've come. My journey shows that you don't need to have everything figured out from day one. If you're willing to learn and keep developing, there are opportunities to progress.

How has Co-op supported your development?

Throughout my career, I've been supported by great leaders who encouraged me to grow and helped me develop new skills. More recently, I've completed a range of learning through Co-op's “Own your development hub”, which helped me grow both professionally and personally.

One of the most valuable experiences was taking part in the Elevating Women's Leadership Programme. The programme ran for around six months and gave me the confidence to speak up more, share my ideas and believe in my own abilities. A few years ago, I would have been nervous about speaking in front of groups or representing the business at events. Today, I do that regularly.

What is it like working in a London store?

Working in London is fast-paced, diverse and incredibly rewarding. Every day, I meet colleagues and customers from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and experiences. That's one of the things I enjoy most about working here.

No two days are the same. One moment I might be reviewing store standards and supporting my team, and the next I could be helping customers on the shop floor during a busy trading period. London stores can be challenging, but they also offer great opportunities to learn, develop and work with an incredibly diverse mix of people.

As someone who moved to the UK from overseas, I've always felt that Co-op values people for who they are and what they can bring to the business.

How do you make a difference in your local community?

One of the things that makes Co-op special is its connection to local communities. Alongside running my store, I enjoy getting involved in community activities and supporting local initiatives.

Over the last few years, I've helped organise and support job fairs, community events and celebrations including South Asian Heritage Month, Black History Month and International Women's Day. I've also supported local charity partnerships and fundraising activities, including events for Barnardo's.

These activities allow me to connect with people beyond the store and show the positive impact Co-op can have within local communities across London.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The people. I love helping colleagues develop and grow in confidence. Seeing someone learn new skills, take on more responsibility and realise what they're capable of is incredibly rewarding.

I've invested a lot of time in developing my Team Leaders and supporting colleagues to reach their potential. I know from my own experience how important encouragement and opportunity can be, so I always try to give that support to others.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career with Co-op in London?

I'd say go for it. If you enjoy working with people, being part of a team and learning new things, there are lots of opportunities available. Co-op has supported me throughout my career, from my first part-time role as a student to becoming a Store Manager.

Most importantly, don't let a lack of confidence hold you back. I arrived in London as an international student, joined Co-op to support my studies and never expected to build a 19-year career in retail. Today, I lead a successful store, support community projects and help develop future leaders. If I can do it, others can too.