Review sums up a successful year for EOA

The EOA’s review of 2016 and focus for activity during 2017 has been released.

The EOA continued to pursue its purpose of developing the size and impact of the UK employee ownership economy last year.

In 2016 profiling the EOA was a high priority through a series of blogs, national media pieces as well as partnering with members in regional and trade press on stories linked to milestones and successes achieving more than 100 pieces of coverage. Alongside this our Chief Executive became a commissioner on Grant Thornton’s Vibrant Economy Commission and spoke at the IPPR’s fringe event at the Conservative Party conference and at the ICAEW’s practice conference.

The growth of employee ownership saw 63 new members join the EOA, 21 transitions to employee ownership within the EOA membership and the sector’s Top 50 companies reported a combined 10.2 per cent increase in sales, a 15% rise in the workforce over three years.

During the year 1,500 members and stakeholders attended our events and networks while as part of our EO Day celebrations there were 149.3k Twitter impressions, 19k Linked in Impressions and 71 members held events.

Deb Oxley, Chief Executive of the EOA said:

“Benefiting from the demands for a more inclusive economy, along with the sustained energy, effort and endeavour of our members in raising awareness and celebrating their successes, 2016 was another brilliant year.

“As the UK faces economic uncertainty, business owners and entrepreneurs continue to seek solutions to their challenges and individuals challenge the role business plays in society, there has never been a better time for employee ownership to demonstrate its economic relevance.

“Whether you are planning for business succession, scale up, start up or spin out, employee ownership provides an effective ownership solution to help unleash greater profitability, productivity, innovation and resilience.”

You can view the Annual review and activity focus for 2017.