New Chief Executive takes the helm at the EOA

Today (February 14) the EOA welcomes James de le Vingne as the new Chief Executive.

James, who has spent the past 5 years leading the Development Unit at Co-operatives UK, joins the EOA as it embarks on an ambitious transformation and growth plan.

James will build on the legacy of Deb Oxley OBE’s tenure at the EOA which saw the association double its number of members and creating relationships that have helped drive both the success of the EOA and the growth of the employee ownership sector.

James, whose work at Co-operatives UK includes establishing the #1MillionOwners campaign in partnership with the EOA, joins the association as it passes the 550 corporate membership milestone, with the sector seeing its largest growth ever with more than 800 businesses.

The partnership is also responsible for the launch of a new regional programme of growth in employee and worker ownership, the Ownership Hub, with the first region being announced in South Yorkshire.

EOA Chief Executive James de le Vingne said: “I’m delighted to start in post today and begin building relationships with the EOA membership.

“It is evident in the EOA’s growing membership and new regional initiatives such as an emerging network of Ownership Hubs are helping to unlock the potential of people, businesses, and the economy.

“I look forward to driving the EOAs ambition to be the ‘go to’ place for good employee ownership and the opportunity to influence on the clear fit between growing more employee and worker owner and the government’s Levelling Up ambition to boost opportunity and productivity in the regions.”

EOA Chair Chris McDermott, who is also MD of the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, said: “James joins the EOA at a really exciting time. His experience at Cooperatives UK and previous roles prepares him well for the challenge of delivering on our new strategy and transforming the association to support the needs of our growing membership. We look forward to seeing him lead the team through this exciting chapter.”