Co-op Life Services FY revenues rise 4.2% despite cyber attack

The Co-operative Group has reported a 4.2% rise in revenues for its life services division to £418m in 2025, despite a criminal cyber attack that impacted profitability across the group. 

The funeral, legal and insurance arm of the business saw underlying operating profits reach £41m during the year. Excluding the estimated direct impact of the cyber breach, revenues growth for the sector stood at 6.9%.

During the year, Co-op invested £12.8m into its funeralcare business, with a focus on expanding its fleet of electric vehicles. It also launched a national advertising campaign, ‘One Brilliant Life’.

Pre-need funeral plan sales volumes grew 10% during the period. The group also reported growth in probate and estate planning within its legal services arm, supported by a £1.6m investment in technology and artificial intelligence.

Active membership across the wider group grew 17% to 7.2m. Executives have now set a new target to reach 10m active members by 2030, supported by increased member participation in annual general meeting voting.

Management confirmed that the business is now focused on removing £200m of annual operating costs by 2026. The group expects market share to return to pre-attack levels across every business area during the current year.

Debbie White, chair of Co-op Group, said: “2025 was a challenging year, but those challenges have helped us reshape Co-op for the future. Despite a cyber attack and tough market conditions, our colleagues have shown incredible resilience, keeping communities served and essential services running.”

Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive of Co-op Group, added: “Looking at our portfolio as a whole, our Life Services area – insurance, funerals, legal services – grew in 2025 despite disruption. We’re looking ahead with a strong focus on customers, while continuing to prioritise the people who own our business.”