Believing in Potential: Nadia’s Story of Representation, Opportunity and Growth in London

Nadia Sanca - Store Manager, Co-op Food, London

Born in Guinea-Bissau, raised in Portugal and moving to the UK in 2011, Nadia joined Co-op in 2018 looking for better work-life balance. What she found was a business where people recognised her potential, encouraged her development and opened doors to new opportunities. Since then, she has progressed from Team Leader to Store Manager while helping shape colleague experiences through her roles as a Colleague Voice Representative and Inclusion Pioneer.

Why did you choose to join Co-op?

I joined Co-op looking for a better work-life balance. At the time, I was feeling overwhelmed in a management role with another business, so I applied for a Customer Team Member position hoping to take a step back. The hiring manager looked at my experience and encouraged me to apply for a Team Leader role.

What stayed with me was that he believed in my potential when I wasn't looking for the next step in my career. That conversation changed the direction of my journey. I accepted the challenge, joined as a Team Leader and have never looked back.

How has Co-op supported your career progression?

The biggest support I've received has come from the managers around me. From the manager who encouraged me to become a Team Leader to the leaders who supported my progression, I've always felt trusted and supported.

Retail can be a busy environment, but my managers always made time for my development. They helped me build the skills, knowledge and confidence I needed to progress, and encouraged me to keep learning throughout my career.

After joining Co-op, I was given opportunities to step up and lead stores, helping me build confidence and develop new skills. I was trusted with greater responsibility and encouraged to keep progressing. In 2025, I was offered a Store Manager role. Every step of my journey came because someone saw potential in me and gave me the opportunity to grow. It's shaped the leader I am today.

What was it like being a Colleague Voice Representative and Inclusion Pioneer?

One of the things I value most about Co-op is that colleagues can make their voices heard and help shape positive change. Through my roles as a Colleague Voice Representative and Inclusion Pioneer, I was able to represent colleagues, raise feedback and see first-hand how those conversations could lead to real improvements.

Being a Colleague Voice Representative was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career because it gave me the opportunity to represent colleagues and help influence positive change. I was able to raise colleague feedback and make sure people felt heard.

I was also proud to be an Inclusion Pioneer. As a Black woman, it meant a lot to help create a more inclusive workplace. By listening to colleagues and raising feedback, I helped influence meaningful changes, including the introduction of more inclusive uniform options. Experiences like these strengthened my belief that diversity and inclusion are not just words at Co-op — they lead to action.

What makes working at Co-op different from other employers?

For me, it comes down to two things: people and opportunities. Throughout my time at Co-op, I've worked with leaders who have supported my growth, recognised my potential and encouraged me to keep developing.

As someone born in Guinea-Bissau, raised in Portugal and building my career in the UK, representation and belonging matter to me. That's one of the reasons I've valued working somewhere that supports people from different backgrounds and creates opportunities to succeed.

I didn't have to choose between career progression and a better balance in my life. At Co-op I’ve been able to achieve both, while progressing from Team Leader to Store Manager.

How has Co-op supported you outside of your day-to-day role?

While working as a Team Leader, I studied for a Business Management degree. Co-op gave me the flexibility to balance my university commitments alongside my career.

I've also been involved in community projects. During the pandemic, I supported local initiatives, which led to recognition from Barnet Council. It's something I'm incredibly proud of, and it showed me that working at Co-op is about more than the store - it's about making a positive impact in the community.

What do you enjoy most about your role as a Store Manager?

The part of my role I enjoy most is helping people grow. Retail is all about people: colleagues, customers and communities.

Throughout my career, people invested in me and helped me succeed. Now I enjoy paying that forward by coaching colleagues, building their confidence and helping them achieve more than they thought possible.

Creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and included is something that's important to me. Small actions can make a big difference, and that's the culture I try to build every day for my team and customers.

What would you say to someone thinking about applying to Co-op?

Go for it. Retail can be busy and challenging, but if you're willing to learn and embrace new opportunities, Co-op will support you to grow and develop. It's a place where potential is recognised, people are supported, and opportunities are there for those who want them. I'm living proof of that.