Where Will Growth Come From?

The UK’s EO sector is undergoing a period of significant expansion, supported by a virtuous cycle of enabling policy, good business practice, and a collaborative EO community.

Direct action and support will be used to promote further growth, securing employee ownership for long-term economic, social, and political sustainability.

Evidence and experience have proven market conditions and targeted interventions are enablers of growth.

The eoa will build on its recent success of delivering targeted growth programmes and strong relationships with policy makers to:

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Influence Policy

  • Positioning EO as a tool to support government priorities of improving the care and foundational sectors, regional regeneration and innovation to deliver economic growth and productivity
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Deliver Targeted Interventions

  • Stimulating innovation to encourage imitation
  • Strengthening regional clusters to reach tipping points once a critical mass is reached locally
  • Targeting sectors with high potential for growth or high number of EOBs with tailored campaigns
  • Supporting succession planning for business owners looking to exit

Our Theory of Change

Innovation inspires imitation. This is the fundamental approach underpinning the UK Employee Ownership Growth Strategy.

Innovation

Focused activity to catalyse and stimulate the initial growth of EO in low-density target industries. 

Imitation

Once a critical mass is reached – and employee ownership becomes mainstream – more businesses will make the transition inspired by high profile EO businesses (EOBs) operating in their sector.

Employee ownership spreads when people try out new ideas and when others copy what works. 

When groups of businesses in the same place or sector reach a certain size, growth can truly take off. 

Success depends on having strong networks, high performing EOBs, and ownership models that open new opportunities in the market.

Targeting Markets with High Growth Potential

Working with our Principal Partners, Specialist Advisers, and other key stakeholders, we’ll identify key sectors and / or markets with high potential for EO growth and accelerate this by:

  • Seeking strategic partnerships with industry bodies
  • Funding and publishing new research to build the evidence base and the case for EO in target markets
  • Delivering targeted multi-year campaigns, aimed at raising the profile of employee ownership, addressing specific issues and challenges, the benefits of EO, and the support available 
  • Showcasing high profile case studies of EOBs in target sectors / markets
  • Connecting EOBs and those considering EO through training, networking events, and webinars
  • Consulting businesses on relevant policy issues to shape lobbying activity to support EO

Example: Care Sector

Rising workforce costs mean that a third of care providers are considering exit. Could EO offer a resilient alternative?

The eoa partnered with Care England to commission research. The report recommends EO solutions to looming ‘care capacity and quality crisis’

Case studies of Shaw Healthcare (UK), Be Caring, and other EOBs prove it works in practice 

Online events to share research findings, develop connections within care sector and inspire those considering transition

Explore the UK EO Growth Strategy

Introduction

How We'll Grow EO

Target Markets

Influencing Stakeholders

How We'll Measure Success

How You Can Get Involved

Delivery of the UK EO Growth Strategy is led by the eoa with support from our Principal Partners: