For over a decade of EO growth, we’ve partnered with pioneering EO businesses and convened a powerful member network to develop insights, measure impact, and define what great EO truly looks like.
From this work, we’ve evolved our proposition and expanded our learning and development programme, eo Learn. Together, they give you the tools, knowledge, and skills to activate EO in your business and build a succession plan that lasts.
The Impact of Great EO
Our research shows that EO businesses consistently outperform their peers, including:
- 8–12% higher productivity per employee
- 20% boost in performance and revenue
- 50% greater likelihood of growth and innovation
Employees also benefit through:
- an average of 12% more investment in training
- increased financial wellbeing via higher wages and profit sharing
- improved wellbeing and satisfaction reported by 73% of EOBs post-transition
Many of our members use their EO outcomes to support ‘good business’ accreditations such as the Good Business Charter, B Corp, Living Wage, and Investors in People.
Sharing What Works
Alongside evidencing impact, we mapped the practices behind these results to create the EO Framework – your blueprint for building a thriving EO culture.
From planning succession to activating EO day-to-day, our online community and events host discussions, resources, and peer learning opportunities.
A Transformation, Not Just a Transaction
When planning EO succession, it isn’t just about selling your business – it’s about creating a lasting legacy. We help you align EO values with practical strategies to achieve your objectives.
Confidentiality is key. You can explore EO anonymously within our member spaces until you’re ready to share your plans.
You’ll begin by choosing an EO structure that shapes how employee ownership is introduced and how the business is sold to employees, with support from an experienced EO Advisor:
- Indirect share models: Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), Employee Benefit Trust (EBT)
- Direct share schemes: Share Incentive Plan (SIP), Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI), or the US-inspired Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Hybrid models: combining both direct and indirect structures
The Power of Great EO Governance
Your chosen structure informs your EO governance model, including key governance roles such as Employee Trustee, Employee Director, Independent Trustee, or Founder Trustee.
Beyond roles and structures, effective governance is the glue that holds EO together long term. It ensures decisions are made transparently, communicated well, and aligned with the past, present, and future of the business.
EO Needs Enlightened, Listening Leadership
Leading an EO business is a significant shift. Leaders must navigate the drive for transparency, clarity, innovation, and shared decision-making while understanding the broader landscape.
Founders need to bring their leadership teams with them and may need to plan for leadership succession as part of the transition. Great EO leaders nurture trust, collaboration, and empowerment - skills explored in our resources on what makes EO leadership different.
Employee Voice Engagement is Key
“When people feel listened to, they feel like they belong” - Helen Moreton, Employee Voice course leader.
Employee voice can drive connection, innovation, and growth. As well as creating roles such as employee voice representatives, success relies on transparent two-way communication tailored to your organisation’s size, sector, and logistics.
Voice often starts with everyday topics - coffee breaks or workspace improvements - and evolves into innovations and meaningful improvements to working practices.
Culture: “Put people first and profit will follow”
A strong ownership culture begins by co-producing shared values, mission, and goals - helping employees feel and act like owners.
Recognition and reward play a vital role, not only through profit share but also through valuing wellbeing, innovation, and customer satisfaction. When employee owners feel empowered to contribute, performance lifts across the business.
Our EO Mindset course helps individuals embrace their role as key stakeholders and connect their everyday actions to business outcomes.
Celebrating Success
The UK Employee Ownership Awards celebrate excellence across the sector. You can explore inspiring EO journeys through our case studies.
Ready to Develop or Celebrate Your EO Journey?
Take your next step: