80 results for year: 2019
It’s time to enable employee ownership to be a crucial part of the future of work
So, the enduring uncertainty the UK has experienced over the past three years has ended – the people of the UK have spoken and returned an 80-seat majority for the Conservatives, the party’s best result since the 1980s.
With the deadlock now broken, there is a need to address a looming resilience emergency in our regions.
As part of that, there is a key role for employee and worker ownership to play - as highlighted in our manifesto – through offering better corporate governance and oversight; greater productivity driven by engaged employees, and improved regional resilience supported by rooting jobs and investment from businesses in their ...
The art of identifying and creating future leaders in an employee owned business
Organisations are complex human systems with a unique combination of relationships and circumstances. They demand a tailored approach to most critical decisions around its people.
And arguably, the most important people-based decision in a business will be leadership succession.
When you look at this alongside employee ownership succession, having the right successor identified with the necessary support to lead in a business where employees have a stake and a say is even more crucial.
The CEO is going to be a steward for the business and will need to consider its current and future stakeholders, for example its employees, customers, suppli...
Lecture to focus on rise of the robots and the role of employee ownership
The rise of the robots and which types of businesses are best able to benefit from emerging technology will be the focus of the Robert Oakeshott Lecture 2020.
Engineer and technologist Naomi Climer CBE, Co-chair of the Institute for the Future of Work, will deliver the lecture with a focus on the Rise of the Robots and yet unpublished research that illustrates how a focus on the employees in a business can support it to make the most of technology.
Naomi, whose main message will be about taking a human centred approach to technology, is the eighth person to give the Robert Oakeshott Lecture. The lecture commemorates and celebrates the life, ...
EO businesses urged to contribute to ownership survey to help define impact on society
The Employee Ownership Association is calling on its members to take part in a piece of research that will help to deliver insights into the role different business models have in society.
The EOA has agreed to be a partner on the innovative survey that looks at models of business ownership, culture and work practices, and the impacts of these on the locations in which they operate or serve.
Supporting the Building Societies Association (BSA) on its research project, delivered via YouGov, the EOA joins the Association for Financial Mutuals, Coops UK and Social Enterprise UK in representing a mix of ownership structures.
The research, which ...
EOA moves to new headquarters
The EOA has moved its office to Brough as part of its plan to continues its growth.
The past year has seen the EOA go from strength to strength, with highlights of the EOA’s 40th year including 18% growth in the sector, high profile media coverage of transition stories – most notably Richer Sounds – plus membership exceeding 400 and one of the most successful EOA Annual Conference’s to date.
The EOA’s success over the past three years has seen the team and its activity grow meaning it has outgrown its previous offices at Melton.
The move to new premises, which sits on the site of British Aerospace close to Brough train station, is ...
Taking Away the Three Rs of Why EO Matters
Our conference last week has given me chance to pause and reflect on our 40th anniversary year so far.
While in the wider economic and political landscape not much has changed by way of gaining any kind of certainty, with little to be done right now but await the outcome of the 12th of December General Election, this year for us has been bigger and better!
There has been continued growth for the sector – growing by 18% in 2019 with SMEs and family business remaining dominant.
Our membership has tipped 400 for the first time ever and the EOA Annual Conference was a sell-out event – 715 people from 220 different organisations.
There have ...
Leadership apprenticeships launched as part of EO Learning
The 2019 EOA Conference saw the announcement of several exciting new training and leadership programmes designed specifically for the employee owned sector.
The first of these innovative new programmes to launch is the Leadership Apprenticeship Programme from Activate Business School and Grant Thornton.
Launched under the umbrella of EO Learn, it will initially sit alongside 2 other programmes:
Leadership Apprenticeship Prgramme - from Activate Business School & Grant Thornton
Leadership Succession Programme - from Telos & Jeremy Gadd Associates
"How to be an Effective Employee Director or Employee Trustee" Course - from The ...
The UK EO Awards 2019 in Review – An Evening Celebrating Excellence
There were celebrations galore at the UK Employee Ownership Awards with a total of 6 Winners and 10 Highly Commended Employee Owned businesses taking home awards.
This years UK EO Awards, managed by the Employee Ownership Association and sponsored by leading EOA member Baxendale, saw 40 submissions which were reviewed by an independent panel of judges from across the Employee Owned sector in a two-stage process. After much deliberation by the judges, when the evening finally came we saw a total of 6 Winners and 10 Highly Commended Employee Owned businesses take home awards celebrating their employee ownership excellence.
The oldest and ...
Record-Breaking Year for EOA Conference 2019
The EOA conference has achieved a record attendance with more than 715 people from 220 businesses gathering to discuss employee ownership in the UK.
Attendees heard from keynotes Sir Charlie Mayfield of John Lewis Partnership; Jason Parker Director of Make Architects and Peter Lord & David Sproxton Founders of Aardman Animations. Plus Shaun the Sheep made an appearance!
There were more than 330 words captured on the Building Blocks of EO Wall where those who attended recorded the word they most associated with employee ownership – inclusive, relevant, innovative, collaborative, empowering, enduring, productive and sharing were just a few ...
Date set for ‘investing in employee ownership’ event
A finance symposium for industry professionals to look at the opportunities and solutions to support the growth of the sector will take place on March 16.
Those attending the event, which is supported by Unity Trust Bank, will hear from the experiences of employee owned businesses and have the opportunity to share ideas on policies and action required to transform the role of finance in this sector with Baroness Sharon Bowles of Berkhamstead.
Baroness Bowles chaired the Ownership Effect Inquiry that resulted in findings and an action plan being published in the 2018 business backed report The Ownership Dividend. The inquiry revealed that ...
HSBC supports Building Technology Systems with transition to employee ownership
Warrington-based building control system designer and installer, Building Technology Systems (BTS) has been acquired by an Employee Ownership Trust with support from HSBC UK.
With the support of a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK, the newly formed Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) has made a 100 per cent purchase of Building Technology Systems from current owners Graham Spark and Dean Brookes. The existing owners were keen to adopt this route as it allows them to stay in operational control of the Company until their eventual future retirement, with a smooth transition of management over a number of years for their customers and staff.
All ...
UK’s Oldest and Largest Employee Owned Business Wins Culture Award
The UKs oldest and largest employee owned businesses has been named the winner of Employee Ownership Culture of the Year in the UK Employee Ownership Awards 2019.
John Lewis Partnership which has 50 John Lewis & Partners shops and 338 Waitrose & Partners shops across the UK has been employee owned for 90 years.
The partnership which has a written constitution which defines the principles by which it should be run, begins with its ultimate purpose being the happiness of all its members, through their worthwhile and satisfying employment in a successful business.
The judges of the award were particularly impressed by the partnerships ...
Farmers Reap Record Results to Win Employee Owned Rising Star of the Year
A business that has grown from one man and his wheelbarrow to a 50,000 box a week organic veg delivery business has won an employee ownership award, just one year after its ownership transition.
Riverford Organics has scooped the UK Employee Ownership Awards Employee Owned Rising Star of the Year Award after impressing judges with the results of its first year of being an employee owned business.
Judges noted that that having employees engaged ahead of and involved in the transition has helped Riverford to benefit from the “whoosh effect” very early in its EO journey.
Riverford Organics, which is headquartered in Totnes, Devon and employs ...
Leading Lives Crowned Public Service Mutual of the Year
A strong mission and employees driving innovation for community benefit has seen Leading Lives take the title of Public Service Mutual of the Year.
Leading Lives, which is an employee owned co-operative trading as a social enterprise, was chosen for the UK Employee Ownership Award - which is endorsed by the Department for Media, Culture and Sport - after amazing judges with the ways they use their culture to drive great impact for vulnerable people and their carers.
Based in Suffolk and surrounding areas, Leading Lives has a mission to help the people who need support leading the life they choose. They offer support to people with learning ...
Financial Freedom Shakes up EO Success for Award Winner
Employee owners are feeling free to push performance to its maximum as their business 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan becomes Employee Owned Business of the Year.
The UK Employee Ownership Award winner, which is a 100% employee owned business, employs 265 and sells diet food that it proudly manufactures in Corby. It has seen the continued evolution of its culture, engagement and performance on its 9-year employee ownership journey.
In the past year they have recorded a 74.8% employee satisfaction rate, while turnover is up 23% with 10% profit being distributed in a dividend to all employee owners.
The EO journey began when the three owners ...
David Manufactures People Power to Take Employee Owner of the Year Crown
Classed as the ‘go to’ person both inside Gripple and beyond, David Wroe inspires, supports and empowers his fellow owners at Gripple to drive performance.
And it is this that has seen the UK Employee Ownership Award Judges select David as Employee Owner of the Year 2019.
David joined the Sheffield-based manufacturer Gripple as engineering team leader 19 years ago, and after being one of the first employee representatives from when the business became employee owned four years later, he has taken this knowledge throughout his various roles to where he his now as Riverside site manager.
It is here where he has used the Gripple spirit – ...
Sir Charlie Mayfield Awarded Philip Baxendale Fellowship Award
Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership & President of the EOA has been awarded the Philip Baxendale Fellowship Award.
The Award, which is for an individual who has in the past made, or is currently making, an outstanding contribution to the growth of employee ownership in the UK, has been awarded to Sir Charlie in recognition of both his corporate and personal advocacy for employee ownership both inside and outside of the John Lewis Partnership.
As Chairman of John Lewis Partnership plc, an office he has held since 2007 and from which he steps down in 2020, Charlie’s genuine interest in employee ownership is evident ...
Plandescil celebrates 40th year in business
EOA40 big birthday club: Formed in 1979 Plandescil Ltd – employee owned Consulting Engineers based in Norfolk, has reached a key milestone.
Plandescil currently employs over 40 staff from at its offices in Attleborough, the majority of who have been with the business for many years. The internal culture this created an extended successful family business unit, which has thrived and prospered, and celebrating 40 years in business in 2019.
Roderic Riley started the business in 1979 and was joined in due course by sons Simon and Julian Riley with his wife Sara. The family business quickly established the Plandescil brand with a reputation to ...
The EOA Membership Council is Seeking New Representatives
The EOA Membership Council is seeking new members to help support the continuous development of the EOA membership proposition.
The council is an essential platform for gathering the views of our members and supporting in the development of the EOA projects.
The core aims of the EOA Membership Council are to:
Consider the views of the EOA with regards to plans and ambitions to develop the membership proposition in line with the approved EOA strategy;
Support delivery of specific developments of the membership proposition, forming ‘Task and Finish’ groups as required to support the EOA to evaluate, test and implement new services;
...
Delivering Quality Jobs Needs More Humanity
Recently I was lucky enough to visit the Spanish city of San Sebastian to present and speak about the role of employee ownership in delivering quality jobs.
Sharing the platform with a range of other speakers from the EU and beyond also enabled me to learn about the range of emerging technologies that have the potential to develop or threaten the global provision of quality jobs.
A speaker from the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute explained how autonomous vehicles (AVs) have the potential to change personal travel and the transport of freight. Driverless cars will bring the driving experience to an end, leading to the creation of ...
#1MillionOwners Campaign Expands with Programme Manager Role
In July 2019 the Employee Ownership Association and Co-operatives UK launched the #1MillionOwners campaign, calling for the UK Government to invest in employee ownership and create a clear national policy objective to support a voluntary expansion of employee and worker-owned businesses.
As 2019 sees more and more high-profile businesses make the transition to employee ownership, the EOA and Co-operatives UK are expanding the scope of the #1MillionOwners campaign to further drive awareness of employee and worker ownership by working directly with Local Enterprise Partnerships.
This continued expansion of the EO sector and the successful growth ...
EOA welcomes Richmond and Towers move to 100% EO
Richmond & Towers, the UK’s longest established public relations consultancy, is now 100% owned by its employees following its sale to a newly created employee ownership trust.
“This is a very exciting day for our business,” commented chief executive Nikki Thomson. “We think we are the first Top 150 PR agency to be 100% employee owned, reflecting the pioneering attitude that has kept the business successful for so long.”
The last two years have seen numerous award wins and significant business growth for Richmond & Towers, with the addition of McVitie’s, Pukka, Estrella Damm, Westons and Galderma to its roster. All R&T ...
Our manifesto for a sharing economy to benefit the UK
While the way forward politically and economically for the UK becomes so close but so far from being clear, in stark contrast the EOA’s call to action has grown in both momentum and clarity.
Our voice has been amplified through working in partnership with business organisations such as the ICAEW, FSB and IFB and through invites to share our thinking with key influencers relating to a more inclusive economy, better engaged employees driving more productivity in businesses and how employee ownership succession has a key role to play in the resilience of our regional economies.
At a time where views are polarised in the UK, employee ownership ...
Press release: EOA Challenges Government to Adopt National Strategy for Employee Ownership
EOA calls on new administration’s commitment to delivering a shared economy that prepares the UK for future social and economic challenges
UK: The Employee Ownership Association (EOA) has published a new proposal today that challenges any government, new or existing, to adopt a national strategy for employee ownership. This call comes in advance of the Autumn budget from the chief executive of the EOA, Deb Oxley OBE.
Backed by evidence, worked examples from Scotland and the US, and recent new thinking, the EOA is encouraging government to adopt and invest in a strategy for employee ownership that:
Gives individuals a better share of the ...
EOA congratulates The Helpful Book Company on its move to employee ownership
The Helpful Book Company is a Millom based publishing company that specialises in books and
online courses that help novices (often seniors) get to grips with technology - for example PCs,
smartphones & tablets.
It has customers from all around the country and indeed around the world - over 140,000 people
have used their books & courses to help them master technology.
The Helpful Book Company was first established in 2005 by Tim Wakeling but on the 16th October
the company became owned by its 10 existing employees under an employee ownership trust -
similar to John Lewis/Waitrose, Richer Sounds or Aardman Animations (makers of the ...
Success of EOA first webinar sparks 2020 series
The EOA’s first webinar has been a huge hit with members and has sparked a full series in 2020.
Looking at subjects that help our members bring employee ownership to life in their business, the series will launch in the new year.
The webinar, which featured the 2019 Annual Conference sponsors Postlethwaite & J Gadd Associates, focussed on how employee ownership can transform your business.
Running webinars was also a request made by members in the recent EOA Member Survey.
More than 130 people actively engaged with the webinar on the day, representing 74 businesses with 19% Affiliates, 39% Partners, 12% Supporters, 5% Trustees and ...
EOA Member Council to create People and HR Special Interest Group
Two members of the Membership Council are looking to establish a People and HR Special Interest Group.
Paul Seath and Neil Hughes are looking to develop a network of those whose role in their employee owned business focuses on people, to develop and promote best practice for People and HR standards.
The group will aim to meet three times a year to enable members to increase their knowledge and aid their own development, whilst sharing with other members – all with a focus on EO specific matters. This will include subjects such as communications about finance, how employee ownership works and the rights of owners alongside the obligations of ...
It’s time to ‘go big’ with plans for more employee ownership
Thinking about the future of employee ownership inevitably causes reflection on our journey so far.
Whilst the EOA 40th anniversary year has given us a chance to celebrate the origins of the EOA and our current direction of travel, it was the release last week of a new paper Equity for All, authored by Nigel Mason and published by new think tank Ownership at Work, that has led me to reflect more closely on the past five years.
Just 5 years ago there were fewer than 130 employee owned businesses in the UK.
And it was back then, following the recommendations of the Nutall Review in 2012, the then coalition government Business Minister Jo ...
EOA welcomes new paper on ‘next gen EOT’ from new think tank
The EOA welcomes the first paper of new think tank Ownership at Work - Equity for All.
The paper outlines a radical plan to encourage more companies to give employees a stake in the business in which they work could create 1.5 million employee owners by 2030 and the biggest share out of wealth in a generation.
From helping to close the pension gap to allowing employees to build their own capital stake, the ideas for a next generation EOT could create a shift in wealth and ownership in the UK.
In Equity for All, author Nigel Mason claims new tax incentives are encouraging more business founders, such as Richer Sounds’ Julian Richer, Aardman ...
2020 Finance Symposium set to address the opportunities and challenges for the EO sector
The EOA, supported by Unity Trust Bank, is hosting a finance symposium in March 2020 to discuss opportunities and challenges for the EO sector.
The event aimed at financial institutions will share the latest research and evidence on employee ownership finance.
Hosted at the ICAEW's Chartered Accountants Hall in London, the invite-only symposium is aimed at representatives from the UK’s main banks, challenger banks, funds and professional advisers.
Those attending will hear from employee owned businesses Richer Sounds and Cambridge Weight Plan about their experiences of funding.
Attendees will also receive copies of a new report from ...
Global Food and Drink Recruitment Consultancy Focus, Refocus Their Business Plan with A Move to Employee Ownership
The EOA welcomes the news its member Focus Management Consultants has become employee owned.
Focus Management Consultants, a recruitment consultancy for the food and drink sector, has announced its transition to employee ownership after establishing an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) and transferring majority ownership (90%) of the business to its employees, giving them a meaningful stake and a say in how the business operates.
Focus’ transition to employee ownership comes at a time of growth and development for the Cheshire-based agency. The change to employee ownership has already led to a significant increase in revenue, with monthly ...
EOA supports the CBI snap survey ‘how business are preparing for Brexit’ – Have your say!
As part of ensuring that the employee owned sector is represented at the heart of UK business, the EOA has recently joined the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and is now a member of the CBI’s Trade Association Council. Both will enable the EOA to represent our members' voices alongside other leading trade associations and membership bodies.
As many of our member businesses are likely not to be corporate members of the CBI, the EOA’s membership now provides our member businesses and their employee owners with valuable additional benefits, which we will outline in more detail over the next few months.
However, an immediate opportunity ...
EOA supports DCMS public consultation to help better define and understand public service mutuals
The EOA is supporting the DCMS to help the government better understand the needs of public sector mutuals.
The consultation, which is the next step in the development of the public service mutual model, aims to determine if the current definition of a Public Service Mutual is still fit for purpose.
The DCMS and the EOA are urging all public service mutual to take part in the public consultation ahead of it closing on the 18th of October. The consultation document can be accessed on gov.uk
The association’s CEO Deb Oxley supported the development of the consultation facilitating two workshops, through her role on the DCMS Mutual Strategy ...
Clarity on spending review brings new focus to #1MillionOwners campaign
The spending review campaign by the EOA and Coops UK - #1MillionOwners - has a clearer focus as the government provides clarity on its process.
The government has announced a fast track 1-year spending review to be concluded by the end of September 2019, followed by a full three-year spending review in 2020.
The #1MillionOwners campaign calls for £2.17million to be allocated over the next three years with an ambition to create one million worker and employee owners by 2030, addressing some of the challenges currently facing the UK economy.
Research from the EOA and Co-operatives UK shows that growing employee and worker ownership – ...
Ownership Dividend – One year on: partnership focus FSB
The EOA is delighted to grow its partnership activity with the FSB, linked to the growth of employee ownership amongst SMEs in the UK.
Activity at the beginning of the year has included the Guide to EO being actively distributed through the FSB Legal Hub and an article about employee ownership has been published in the FSB’s publication First Voice. This activity has generated a number of enquiries from businesses about employee ownership.
Recent data shows that the shape and size of the employee owned sector is changing. Once reliant on a handful of large businesses, more recently there has been growth in employee ownership as a succession ...
Ownership Dividend – One year on: partnership focus ICAEW
Back in May our Operations Director Cathy Brown visited the ICAEW (The Institute of Chartered Accountants England and Wales).
It was the 14th of May to be exact, which sticks in our minds as the day Richer Sounds announced its transition to employee ownership and a pay-out for staff – a story which was alive in the media for days with a positive commentary from journalists, business orgs and politicos on its links to a more inclusive economy.
As documented in the Ownership Dividend, one of the barriers to the growth of employee ownership in the UK is awareness and knowledge in the in the advisor market. In particular for EO to grow at the ...
A reflection – one year on from the Ownership Dividend our partnerships are crucial to growing EO
Just over one year ago we concluded the Ownership Effect Inquiry with the launch of the report The Ownership Dividend – the Economic Case for Employee Ownership.
With financial support of John Lewis Partnership and the eaga Trust, leadership of Baroness Sharon Bowles and the academic rigour of Cass and Alliance Manchester Business Schools, the Ownership Dividend was launched to great acclaim.
The launch and the aftermath of media coverage confirmed that the Ownership Dividend tapped into a very current and relevant set of issues facing the UK:
business survival and succession
improving productivity levels in SMEs
supporting more ...
Invest now in employee and worker ownership for a more inclusive economy
Ed Mayo, Co-operatives UK and Deb Oxley, Employee Ownership Association
It’s time to move on from simply talking about the benefits of a more inclusive economy – and start investing in one.
The delivery of an inclusive economy requires more political will and targeted investment.
When it comes to reducing wealth inequality, driving employee engagement and tackling regional resilience, employee and worker ownership offers a proven and popular opportunity to achieve this.
The recent announcement of the move by Richer Sounds to become employee owned received universal political support with commentators in tabloids and broadsheets alike ...
Press release: UK GOVERNMENT URGED TO INVEST IN EMPLOYEE AND WORKER OWNERSHIP
New campaign launched today calls on the government to set a target for #1MillionOwners by 2030
LONDON, UK – July 22nd 2019 – The Employee Ownership Association (EOA) and Co-operatives UK are calling for the UK Government to invest £2million in the upcoming Spending Review and create a clear national policy objective to support a voluntary expansion of employee and worker-owned businesses.
Research from the EOA and Co-operatives UK shows that growing employee and worker ownership – businesses that give employees a stake and a say – would help Government achieve its objectives for a more productive, inclusive and balanced economy, ...
CEO Blog: Telling the employee ownership story – it’s all in the numbers
One of the most important tools that supports the EOA in being the voice for employee ownership in the UK is the insight we have about the size and shape of the sector.
Our purpose to influence, inspire and support UK employee ownership to become more admired, widespread and successful depends on being able to tell a compelling story using sector data, alongside the rich case studies from our membership.
This is why, working with partners, we publish data that helps us to tell the story of employee ownership to influencers, business owners, the media and political audiences.
On EO Day this year, therefore, to complement the celebrations of ...
EOA & Community Dental Services launch EOA40 Give a Healthy Smile
Community Dental Services and the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) officially launched the EOA40 Anniversary Appeal, which aims to Give a Healthy Smile to 4,000 children in the UK.
The appeal was launched with the oral health team at the Carlton Road Academy in Boston, Lincolnshire, which is aiming to raise £40,000 to fund teeth-brushing programmes after NHS figures[1] revealed tooth decay is the single largest reason children aged between five and nine are admitted to hospital.
The EOA and CDS CIC decided to partner on the appeal to bring employee owned businesses together to leave a joint legacy in the EOA40 year, which represents the ...
Thanks for spreading an enormous smile for EO Day 2019
The EOA wants to thank its members and stakeholders for helping them reach millions of people through social media and articles for EO Day 2019.
Thousands of employee owners and supporters of employee ownership celebrated the annual EO Day campaign, sponsored by Gripple, on Friday 28 June.
On Twitter alone there were 3.3 million impressions of #EODay and #EODay2019 reaching more than 1.25 million accounts with hundreds of pictures, links and videos about how employee ownership supports wellbeing and happiness at work.
The smile spread even further with 6 MPs visiting EO businesses and sharing their experiences plus more than 30 online and ...
Thousands celebrate with a smile for EO Day while data reports reveal sector growth
Thousands of employee owners across the UK are celebrating their employee ownership status today for Employee Ownership Day (EO Day), an annual, national date in the calendar, which highlights the collective strength and achievements of the UK’s employee ownership sector.
Some 370 employee-owned businesses in the UK contribute over £30bn to UK GDP every year and includes businesses such as John Lewis and Partners, Lush Cosmetics, Aardman Animations, Riverford Organics and Richer Sounds.
The growth of the sector in 2018 was 18.6% - its best year yet.
To mark EO Day, the Employee Ownership Association (EOA), the national membership organis...
Smiling – all year round UMi style
This EO Day we are reflecting on what is important to us as business and what makes us smile.
We know that businesses are more than just brick and mortar or numbers on a spreadsheet, they’re powered by people – just like our own. UMi is all about helping businesses go further, not only to achieve their own ambitions but because we believe business has a major role to play in making the world around us a better one.
Recognising the power of individuals, and the great things that can be achieved when those individuals come together, is embedded within our rallying cry. As a result, we’re really proud of being recognised as a business ...
The EOA member survey is now live – our survey needs you!
The EOA’s first full member survey has launched.
As the membership continues to grow alongside the sector the association needs make sure it delivers its strategy of making the EOA membership a more compelling proposition as well as developing thought leadership, member voice and partnerships to generate greater awareness, demand and influence.
The survey will help the EOA to plan to remain relevant and fit for purpose for the future.
The survey will land in the inboxes of 1,200 individuals from the 380+ members of the EOA, is also open to all members via the membership page on the EO Hub.
The survey will be delivered by EOA member Su...
EOA Blog: One year on, the momentum for EO is thriving
By Operations Director Cathy Brown
It is a year since we last met at the Summer Dinner, in fact it was my first engagement for the EOA.
It has been a fascinating year for me, especially realising how closely aligned the worlds of EO and my previous experience in the world of employee engagement are.
Having been brought in to run the operations of EOA, and support projects being generated by new partnerships being developed by our CEO, this anniversary for me seems a great time for me to reflect on where we are now.
Last year Respublica Director Philip Blond stepped in as speaker and challenged us to turn up the dial on the push for more ...
Guest Blog: UK EO Award sponsor Baxendale on retaining a family business legacy
Over many years, and often over generations, family owners nurture and grow their businesses. Family businesses often have collective stewardship, responsible risk-taking and a focus on long-term business goals as their core values.
These values, combined with the family’s loyalty to their employees, commitment to a geographic location and a sense of pride in their success and independence, create the family business legacy. This is a legacy that families quite rightly strive to build upon and want to protect.
When it comes to succession planning, families often hope to find a solution that keeps the family business in the family. If ...
EOA looking for new board members
The EOA is recruiting to its board as part of its succession planning.
The board, which meets four times a year, supports the Chief Executive in agreeing the direction and strategy of the association, acting as a sounding board for new ideas and monitoring the progress of the strategy.
Board members are also expected to take a leadership role in promoting awareness of the sector, be passionate about employee ownership and committed to raising awareness and encouraging and affecting change within the sector.
The EOA is seeking applications from both Partner and Trustee members and are interested, but not limited to, receiving applications ...
EOA Summer Dinner: Nita Clarke heralds ‘sea change’ for UK business as an opportunity for EO sector
Members attending the Summer Dinner 2019 heard how a sea change in the way the role of business in society is seen, creates a perfect storm to grow EO.
The annual dinner was sponsored by global engineering, management, and development consultancy Mott MacDonald with the drinks reception sponsored by pensions specialists MyCSP.
Guest speaker Nita Clarke OBE, Director of the IPA, told the room of 150 EOA members that while the connections between engagement, EO and productivity have been talked about with authority for the past decade, the appetite in the UK for businesses to do well while doing good is at an all-time high.
In her speech, Nita ...
Judges insight Professor Andrew Robinson – UK Employee Ownership Awards 2019
Professor Andrew Robinson, of Leeds Business School and White Rose Centre for Employee Ownership, said:
Over the last 30 years I have been carrying out research into employee ownership and more recently charting the growth and characteristics of the employee ownership sector.
This year I am delighted to continue the involvement of the White Rose Centre for Employee Ownership in the Awards, taking on the baton from my research partner Professor Andrew Pendleton.
Awareness of employee ownership seems to be at an all-time high with very positive mainstream coverage in the media and key business organisations seeking information on the sector. ...
Judges insight Nicola Ryan – UK Employee Ownership Awards 2019
Nicola Ryan, Joint Director of People Services, Rowlinson Knitwear said:
I’m really delighted to be a judge for the UK Employee Ownership Awards for the second consecutive year.
My professional passion is employee engagement that drives performance. As a judge, I get a valuable insight into the many ways that EO businesses empower their people to be the change that leads to success. These powerful stories inspired Rowlinson in our journey to become employee owned in 2015.
It’s my experience that the awards offer the opportunity to reflect on and showcase the collective endeavour of your business. For Rowlinson, entering the awards ...
Parfetts: UK EO Award Winner Case Study
Parfetts, established as a family business in 1980, and became employee owned in 2008. The Cash & Carry business, which has over 600 employee owners has been able to drive success through well executed engagement and reward, including an annual dividend plus sales target bonus which has seen the team get two bonus payments for the last 3 years after surpassing targets.
Alfa Leisureplex Group: UK EO Award Winner Case Study
The Lancashire based Alfa Leisureplex Group is the only employee owned Travel Company within the UK. Offering expertly planned holidays from start to finish, the operator offers passengers a range of vibrant and exciting destinations with the convenience of well-situated pick up points throughout the UK. Exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything they do, due to the enthusiastic team of owner employees, which make up the Alfa Leisureplex Group.
Gripple Limited: UK EO Award Winner Case Study
The successful launch in 1988 of a wire joining and tensioning device called a Gripple not only gave the company producing it its name, but also provided the impetus for employee ownership. The award-winning Sheffield company has since developed over 6,500 products for agricultural fencing, trellising and anchoring and more recently, hanger systems for installing mechanical and electrical services, seismic bracing and geo-synthetic turf mat anchors. Its overseas operations include facilities in New Delhi, Obernai near Strasbourg and Aurora near Chicago.
EOA to contribute to Employee Ownership session at Co-op Congress
There’s just one month to go until Co-op Congress in Manchester, where the EOA will be leading a session on employee and worker ownership alongside Damon Horrill from Cornerstone Inns, Polly Robbins from Outlandish and Sandy Lindsay MBE from communications agency Tangerine.
With a theme of Building Co-operative Places, speakers at the event include Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, the RSA, Co-op Group and bestselling author Oliver Bullough. There are workshops around leadership, brand identity and the innovative use of technology.
You can find out who else is speaking at Congress and book a place via https://www....
Our survey needs you!
The EOA is launching the first ever full member survey to help it understand how members value our proposition.
The survey which will launch the week of EO Day will gather data to help us understand what our members value and how we continue to support our four membership groups in the most effective way.
The creation of the survey has been supported by the EOA Membership Council, which represents the needs and views of the membership.
The plans resulting from the results of the survey will be shared by EOA Chief Executive Deb Oxley at the EOA’s Annual Conference.
Head of Membership Oliver Smith said: “By looking at what our members ...
Does Richer Sounds mark the tipping point for employee ownership?
Last week saw the announcement of Richer Sounds’ move to employee ownership. As the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) prepared itself for this welcome announcement of another business owner taking the progressive step to securing the future of their business, we could not have predicted the response. For last week’s news seems to represent a tipping point in the employee ownership revolution.
Founder Julian Richer’s decision to sell majority ownership of his business to his employees via an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) has been universally welcomed and his actions applauded across the economic, social and political divides. Every ...
Sir Charlie Mayfield joins keynote line-up as EOA Conference tickets go on sale
Sir Charlie Mayfield has joined the line-up of keynote speakers at the EOA Annual Conference which will take place on November 18 and 19.
Ticket sales from the event which is being sponsored this year by J Gadd Associates and Postlethwaite launch today (May 15) for the event which will be held at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole.
Sir Charlie who announced he would be stepping down as Chairman of John Lewis Partnership in 2020 will give a keynote speech that outlines why from social mobility, fair work and fair pay, to tackling regional disparities and delivering growth across the whole of the UK, the Employee Owned sector is a force for good.
...
EOA welcomes Richer Sounds’ move to majority employee ownership
The EOA is delighted its member Richer Sounds has transitioned to employee ownership via and employee owned Trust:
Deb Oxley OBE, Chief Executive of the EOA, said: “We congratulate Richer Sounds on its transition to employee ownership: another great brand bringing employee ownership to the high street.
"We’re delighted to see it secure its future independence with a focus on its people and an eye on the future world – a world with a more inclusive economy and where more businesses are doing well while doing good.”
Below follows a press release from Richer Sounds:
Julian Richer transfers 60% of his shares to employees.
Julian ...
It’s time to showcase your people power in the UK EO awards
The EOA and sponsor Baxendale have launched the UK Employee Ownership Awards 2019 (UK EO Awards)
The UK Employee Ownership Awards celebrate businesses that, through their business structure and culture, empower employees to drive performance and share in the reward.
The Awards, managed by the Employee Ownership Association, and sponsored by leading EOA member Baxendale, help to draw out the rich stories of employee ownership success that help us to celebrate and champion the sector.
Baxendale have given us their top tips for entrants: View Here
Those who wish to enter can register/log into the application portal now and add to your ...
Tribute to employee ownership pioneer Philip Baxendale
The EOA was saddened to hear of the death of employee ownership pioneer Philip Baxendale in April.
Philip, who was one of the first founders to work with the EOA’s own founder Robert Oakeshott to transfer his business to employee ownership, was a key contributor to the sector.
In 1983, he turned down multi-million pound offers for the leading boiler company – Baxi - his grandfather founded, and which he had worked in for decades.
He instead chose to sell his business to his workers at a significant discount. Convinced of the benefits of employee ownership, he then established Baxendale’s parent company, choosing to invest his own money ...
Built environment sector to gather for EO Day event
Representatives from the built environment sector are invited to an event to explore, celebrate and champion employee ownership for EO Day 2019.
The event, which is being hosted by Arup and builds on the successful event in 2018, will take place in the week of EO Day on Wednesday 26 June.
The event for employee owners and representatives from businesses that are interested in employee ownership will get the chance to:
network with peers
take part in a panel discussion on the topic of culture, involving three employee owned businesses from the built environment
hear a presentation from Allford Hall Monaghan Morris on their transition ...
EOA welcomes roadshows to grow number of specialist EO advisors in Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland, The Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS) and Co-operative Development Scotland are joining forces to promote employee ownership amongst Scotland’s professional advisers (EO advisors).
The partners are coming together to host a unique series of events on employee ownership for members of the legal, accounting and banking professions. Taking place across the length and breadth of the country in May and June, the roadshow is designed to raise awareness of the important role professional advisers play in informing clients about employee ownership as a business succession model, and to increase the number of ...
Moving the goal posts makes employee ownership a political football
In recent months both sides of the political divide have proposed employee ownership as the solution to some of the UK’s burning economic woes.
Good news you might think? Frustratingly however, these references have been politicised; Labour’s policy recommendations of the ‘Inclusive Ownership Fund’ and ‘Right to Own’ proposing employee ownership as a solution to economic failures, mandated in law, and that the former include what is ostensibly an additional stealth tax on larger private and public businesses.
Government’s response to Labour’s proposals has been to ask business trade bodies and organisations for their proposals. ...
Celebrated architect announced as EOA conference keynote
One of the fastest growing sub sectors of employee ownership will be represented at the Employee Ownership Association Conference.
Celebrated architect Ken Shuttleworth, founder of employee owned architectural practice Make which this year celebrates 15 years, has 40 year’s experience working on some of the most ground-breaking architectural landmarks in the world.
Ken will speak on why he chose Employee Ownership for Make, which is one the UK’s foremost architectural firms with offices in London, Hong Kong and Sydney, and the difference EO has made to the firm’s success at the conference on the 18 and 19 November.
The built environment ...
Mariana urges a shift to an economy that makes, not takes, at the Robert Oakeshott Lecture
The 200+ attendees at the Employee Ownership Association (EOA’s) seventh Robert Oakeshott Lecture were urged by Professor Mariana Mazzucato to challenge, debate and understand value.
The lecture, which is held every year in commemoration and celebration of the EOA’s founder Robert Oakeshott, this year marked 40 years of the EOA.
In her lecture Mariana, a celebrated economist – named “one of the three most important thinkers on innovation” by the New Republic – and an advisor to policymakers around the world, brought together the many issues affecting the economy and the environment that are the impact of businesses extracting rather ...
RM2 converts to full employee ownership
On the occasion of its 25th birthday, RM2, the market leading employee share schemes and EOT consulting business, is converting to full employee ownership as the present owners transfer their entire shareholding to an Employee Ownership Trust.
Since 1994, RM2 has helped private companies set up and run equity incentive schemes, ranging from EMI share option schemes for start-up companies to larger scale all-employee share schemes including Share Incentive Plans. Since 2015, the company has developed a market leading position in Employee Ownership Trust transactions, providing a “one stop shop” service ranging from initial feasibility to ...
Risk & Policy Analysts transition to employee ownership
Risk & Policy Analysts Limited have announced that on the 3rd April 2019 they transitioned to become an employee-owned business run through an employee ownership trust (EOT).
Pete Floyd and Meg Postle founded RPA in 1990 providing independent consultancy to the private and public sector across UK and Europe. RPA has developed a strong reputation and proven expertise in the fields of environment, economics, chemicals, UK & EU policy and sustainability. RPA’s headquarters are just outside Norwich in Loddon and are supported by London and Brussels offices.
The decision to transition to be an employee owned business was driven by the ...
New sponsors announced for EOA Conference 2019
The EOA is delighted to announce its 2019 conference sponsors – J Gadd Associates and Postlethwaite have come together to sponsor the event.
With their experience in supporting two key aspects of employee ownership – the culture and engagement and the legal structure and governance – the two leading EOA members have come together to support the EOA Annual Conference in the EOA’s 40th year.
The 14th EOA Annual Conference will see the UK employee owned sector, those exploring employee ownership and those who advise businesses meet to be involved, be informed and be inspired.
The 2019 event will take place at the Hilton Birmingham ...
Smile – it’s 100 days to EO Day
The EOA is today reaching out to its members and stakeholders to prepare them to make some noise for EO Day 2019.
The annual campaign celebrates with our members and stakeholders to raise awareness of the social and economic impact of employee ownership in the UK.
The campaign is a key part of the EOA’s 40th anniversary year which is focussing on the impact of employee ownership on individuals and communities. This year the campaign is supported by employee owned business Gripple.
The theme for EO Day 2019 is ‘what about EO makes you smile?’ which acknowledges the evidence from the Ownership Dividend that employee ownership has an ...
CEO Blog: The certainty of happiness
Considering the current economic uncertainty, I am consoling myself this month with another quote from Benjamin Franklin, “there is nothing more certain than taxes and death”. For every day that passes, the current level of uncertainty remains, with each new day bringing yet more confusion about what might be the future of the UK’s relationship with the EU.
At a recent lunch with the Bank of England’s Chief Economist, Andy Haldane, it was therefore refreshing to hear business leaders confirm their response to this was to seek to control what they could and to ‘get on with the job’. Notwithstanding this pragmatic response, we know that ...
Aardman founders to share employee ownership journey at flagship conference
Aardman Co-founders Peter Lord and David Sproxton have agreed to share their journey to securing their creative legacy in the UK at the EOA Conference 2019.
The duo will reflect on their employee ownership transition in 2018 and the year that has followed when they are interviewed by compere Martine Croxall at the event in Birmingham on 18 and 19 November 2019
Both the EOA and Aardman are celebrating key milestones in 2019 – Aardman which is 42 year old will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Academy Award®-winning Wallace & Gromit while the EOA celebrates 40 years of better business together. Aardman will also release its new film Shaun ...
Mariana Mazzucato to give Robert Oakeshott Lecture in EOA40 year
Professor Mariana Mazzucato PHD will give the Employee Ownership Association’s (EOA) 2019 Robert Oakeshott Lecture – a key event in the 40th year of the EOA.
Mariana, a celebrated economist - named “one of the three most important thinkers on innovation” by the New Republic - advises policy makers around the world and is known for her strong challenge to rethink capitalism, through her books and articles, advisory roles and speaking engagements.
The theme of the lecture, which is being held on April 4, at International Students House, One Park Crescent, Regents Park, is titled Rethinking Value and Public Purpose: a mission-oriented ...
Succeeding at succession – the employee ownership way
“Failing to plan is planning to fail”. This famous phrase, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, has significant resonance for any business owner thinking about their succession options.
Far too often, an owner puts off this important decision – sometimes until it is too late.
However, it’s easy to see why this is often the case. Owners of established businesses invest their lives in their business – it and they are intimately intertwined.
But they are often patriarchal leaders; involved in every decision, and the person everyone turns to for the nod of agreement or the look of dissatisfaction!
No wonder then that many of them find ...
Final deadline for Mutuals Support Programme applications
It’s the final week for those who are Public Service Mutuals, or aspire to be, to apply for support in the Mutuals Support 2 programme.
Two EOA members Baxendale and Bates Wells Braithwaite are part of consortiums that offer professional advice and support across areas including legal, financial, business planning, marketing, HR and organisational change, bid writing and measuring social value.
Members of both consortia – Go Mutuals and Mutual Ventures consortium - have been selected through a competitive procurement process, and have extensive experience of supporting new Mutuals to develop, and existing ones to thrive.
The closing date ...
Member news: Tickets launched for EOA Summer Dinner 2019
Tickets for the EOA’s Summer Dinner can now be reserved.
The members-only event, which provides a unique opportunity to network with other employee owned businesses in the impressive surroundings of the Members' Dining Room at the Palace of Westminster is being held on the evening of Thursday 13th June 2019.
The dinner is the celebratory highlight of the year that hosts a speaker for the world of politics. Previous speakers include Phillip Blond ResPublica, Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted, Mark Price, former Managing Director of Waitrose, and Minister of State for Trade and Investment in April 2016, Jesse Norman MP. Chair of ...
The EOA congratulates the Rooflight Company on its EO transition plan
The EOA is delighted to see its member the Rooflight Company is on track to transition to employee ownership in March.
The move will help its founders secure the future of the business as they plan their exit.
Deb Oxley OBE, CEO of the Employee Ownership Association, said: “We congratulate the Rooflight Company on its planned transition to employee ownership supported by our members Postlethwaite Solicitors and J Gadd Associates.
“By widening ownership of the business to its employees the Rooflight Company is securing the future of the business, including its ethos, values and employees, while rooting itself locally for the longer term ...
Help the EOA celebrate 40 years of better business together
The EOA is 40 in 2019 and the organisation will be celebrating 40 years of better business together.
The association, which was established as Job Ownership Limited (JOL) by English journalist, economist and social reformer Robert Oakeshott in 1979, is urging its 350 members as well as its stakeholders to get involved in events and campaigns throughout the year.
The organisation is collecting 40 voices of employee ownership and EOA facts from across 40 years for its EOA40 web page, and is urging those who feel they can contribute to this to get in touch. There is a year worth of EOA40 activities an campaigns to get involved with.
There are ...
EOA congratulates Gripple on UK best employer award
The EOA is celebrating another of its members receiving a national accolade for business excellence.
Gripple which as been named as the UK's Best Employer in the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) awards was the also winner of the UK Employee Owned Culture Award in 2018.
Deb Oxley OBE, Chief Executive of the Employee Ownership Association, said: "We are noticing a trend of employee owned businesses becoming recognised for business excellence in particular linked to employee engagement and empowering employees to drive business performance.
"We congratulate Gripple on its work to create excellent career options while growing its performance ...
40 years of better business – a year of opportunity
As is usual at the start of a year, I write to offer some insights into the opportunities and challenges that 2019 poses for the employee owned sector.
Undoubtedly this year will be one of the UK’s most important in recent history and with the expected exit from the EU in March, possibly also one of its most transformative.
To that end, I believe that this could also be one of the most important years for employee ownership, which as a social and economic enabler can offer a more sustainable and inclusive way to do business.
One of the biggest opportunities for the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) is its 40th anniversary. Originally ...