eoa Launches Manifesto for Gov to Incentivise, Support, and Unlock UK EO Potential  

The eoa has officially launched its manifesto calling on Government to unlock the potential of the UK’s employee owned sector. 

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As the employee owned sector matures, there's an unrivalled opportunity to dial-up how EO in the UK delivers better livelihood outcomes. 

There’s more we can do to make sure we deliver better jobs that deliver better economic security and power more resilient and sustainable growth across the UK. 

Working with our members, and through extensive research and collaboration, we've crafted a manifesto that charts a course towards a thriving EO landscape. 

As we move closer to the general election and beyond, it serves as a roadmap for the employee owners we serve, the sector at large, and in our conversations with allies where our policy asks are aligned. 

The four key priority areas we’ve identified and embedded within the manifesto are: 

1. Sustaining EO sector growth
2. Clear government leadership
3. Accessible capital for EOBs to invest in their future
4. An effective business support eco-system 

As well as the continued growth of the EO sector, the emphasis has been focussed on how the existing EO sector can be supported to thrive and deliver positive impacts on people and society, the environment, and the commercial economy. 

Ten Years of Growth and Learning 

The employee ownership trust (EOT) was introduced back in 2014. Now, a decade later, the sector is on course for 2,000 businesses by the end of this year - a significant portion of which are eoa members.  

Last year, ground-breaking research commissioned by the eoa, established a new baseline in our understanding of the scale and impact of employee and worker ownership in the UK on employees, businesses, and our wider economy and society. We also evidenced the practices EO businesses can evolve to deliver increased impact. 

As the most extensive research to date contrasting employee owned businesses (EOBs) with non-EOBs across economic, social, and environmental outcomes, this actionable evidence demonstrates the significant potential that EO has for a prosperous, fair, and productive economy and the steps policy makers can also make to ensure we can increase these impacts further. 

Moreover, the ‘Generation EO: The Great Succession Opportunity’ report found that 120,000 SMEs intend to divest or sell their shareholding over the next decade - with 43% predicting the business will need to find completely new owners or face closure.  

This presents a unique opportunity for EO to grow over the next few election cycles and help reinforce a vital piece of the economy.  

In 2023, the government opened its EOT consultation, which offered an opportunity to share our experiences over the past decade and put forward proposals to strengthen the model.  

We'll update you on progress and keep the conversation going through conversations on eo Hub and via our events.  

In the meantime, you can direct any concerns to our Policy Lead, Sam Blakeborough.  

Future Action 

Going forward, we’ll use these proposals to inform engagement with decision-makers and other key stakeholders to promote sector interests.  

We’ll also invite and empower our members and supporters of the sector to do the same at key opportunities, such as EO Day. The theme for this year’s EO Day is #ProudlyEO and takes place on Friday 21 June.  

A key hurdle to overcome is building knowledge of EO as a viable and ethical business model in the political and economic mainstream. That’s where you can help ensure out voice is heard.  

We’ve put together a draft letter you can tailor and send to your local MP, inviting them to learn more about employee ownership, EOTs, and the evidence-backed benefits it brings to business, society, the environment, and the economy. 

If you’re not certain about your local MP, click or tap here to find out. 

We also urge those aligned with our policies to share this with your contacts and talk to us about how we can work together.