The Power of EO: Oliver & Co Crowned ‘Best Place to Work’ for Second Year Running

Proudly employee owned solicitors Oliver & Co has won ‘Best Place to Work’ at the British Wills & Probate Awards for the second year in a row. In this guest article, the eoa member business explores how EO is fundamental to putting people first, building an award-winning workplace, and its continued success.

Image: (L-R) Ben Hanlin (Host), Danielle Williams (Solicitor), Clare Shields (Solicitor) with Best Place to Work award sponsor FSL Finance

Oliver & Co is proud to announce  we’ve won ‘Best Place to Work’ at the British Wills & Probate Awards for the second year in a row! We also won the ‘Customer Service Champions’ and ‘Wills & Probate Excellence’ awards.

This achievement is a testament to our unique employee ownership (EO) model, which has transformed our firm’s culture, fuelled our success, and made us a workplace where every individual is empowered, valued, and invested in the collective future.

Underpinned by the EO Framework and its four practice areas of Approach, Results, Roles, and Actions, our employee ownership structure has been fundamental in shaping Oliver & Co into an award-winning firm.

Approach: Developing a People-First Culture

At the heart of our success is a commitment to putting our people first. 

Oliver & Co’s employee ownership model goes beyond a simple structural choice; it’s an approach that shapes our values and priorities. 

We believe that when every employee has a stake, it creates a strong sense of ownership, engagement, and responsibility.

Our approach centres on creating a transparent and inclusive environment where every team member feels empowered to contribute to the firm’s growth and success. 

By promoting open communication, collaborative decision-making, and mutual trust, we’ve cultivated a workplace where our employees are truly co-owners with a shared vision.

Roles: Everyone as an Owner

One of the key advantages of EO is that it redefines the traditional employer-employee dynamic. 

At Oliver & Co, everyone has a clearly defined role as an employee owner, meaning we all share in the responsibility, rewards, and successes of the business. 

This ownership mindset changes how we approach our daily work, encouraging team members to think and act like business owners, always considering the long-term success of the firm.

In practice, this translates into greater accountability, initiative, and collaboration across all levels of the firm. 

Our team all go beyond executing tasks and actively contribute to shaping the direction of Oliver & Co, ensuring we’re continuously improving and innovating in everything we do.

Actions: Building an Award-Winning Workplace

Our EO model has driven a number of key actions that have directly contributed to winning ‘Best Place to Work’ for two consecutive years. We prioritise:

1. Wellbeing and Professional Development

From flexible working arrangements to ongoing training and development opportunities, we ensure our team members have the support they need to thrive personally and professionally.

2. Recognition and Reward

We recognise that hard work should be celebrated. Through regular feedback, incentives, and profit-sharing, we ensure every individual feels valued and appreciated for their contributions.

3. Empowering Decision-Making

Our EO structure promotes collective decision-making, allowing our team members to have a real say in the firm’s strategic direction. This sense of empowerment nurtures a deep sense of investment in the firm’s success and encourages innovative thinking at all levels.

Results: A Thriving, High-Performing Team

The results of this people-centred, ownership-driven approach are clear: a thriving workplace where employee engagement, satisfaction, and performance are at an all-time high. 

Our team members are highly motivated because they see the direct impact of their efforts on the firm’s success. This culture of shared responsibility enables us to attract, retain top talent, and deliver exceptional service to our clients.

Winning ‘Best Place to Work’ two years in a row is a testament to the success of this approach. 

Looking Ahead