James Peddie, Baron Peddie

Who was James Peddie, Baron Peddie?

James Mortimer Peddie, Baron Peddie, MBE was a British businessman and politician, a leading figure in the UK co-operative movement.

Peddie started his work in the co-operative movement for the Hull Co-operative Society as Publicity Manager and a director. He served in the Ministry of Information during World War II then became a director of the Co-operative Wholesale Society. He served on the boards of the Co-operative Insurance Society and the Co-operative Permanent Building Society. He was the President of Co-operative Congress in 1958.

Peddie also served on the national executive of the Co-operative Party and chaired the Party 1957-1965. He became a bridge between the co-operative and trade union movements, and the Labour Party, serving on the National Council of Labour, Co-op and Trade Unions. He served as President of both the Co-operative Congresses of 1958.

Peddie was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1944 Birthday Honours, and was created Baron Peddie, of the City and County of Kingston upon Hull on 8 February 1961. He sat on the Labour benches as a Labour Co-operative peer.