T. W. Allen (co-operator)

Sir Thomas William Allen was a British co-operator.

Biography

Allen was born in Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales. His father, Thomas Allen, was a Baptist minister. After leaving school he worked for the Tillery Colliery office where he apprenticed in a grocery store. After completing his apprenticeship he began working for the Abertillery Co-operative Society which later merged with the Blaina Co-operative Industrial Society. In 1893 Allen became general manager of the Blaina society.
In 1906 he became a director of the Co-operative Insurance Society and in 1910 became a director of the English Co-operative Wholesale Society, holding both positions until 1933. In 1908 he served as President of Co-operative Congress.
From 1929 to 1933 he was on the executive committee of the International Co-operative Alliance, serving as vice-president. He was chairman of the Consumers' Council during the First World War and was knighted in 1919 for his wartime work. He served as President of the English Co-operative Wholesale Society from 1929 to 1933.