When I first agreed to be on the judging panel for the ‘Employee Owned Business of the Year’ award, I knew immediately I’d enjoy reading the applicants, but I didn’t expect to find it as quite as inspiring as I did.
Reading through the applications was like being handed a slice of history for each company with all of them telling their own story of successful employee ownership. Of course, there was plenty to be found about commercial success, but I was struck by people coming together, building something meaningful, and truly believing in employee ownership.
I found myself genuinely moved by the range of work being done, especially by some of the smaller businesses. One, in particular, had less than two dozen employees, yet their list of charity work and community impact was longer than some companies ten times their size. That kind of commitment has really stuck with me and made me proud to be part of the EO sector.
What I loved reading about was the human side of employee ownership, the transparency, the engagement, and the culture. And these businesses certainly delivered.
One application talked about anonymous surveys and financial literacy training, and I thought, this is what all EO businesses should be doing! It’s exactly what EO should be about: giving people the tools to understand and influence the business they’re part of.
There were moments during judging when I found myself thinking, I need to tell my clients about this. Every single one of them offered a practical, tangible example of EO in action. Things like voice groups, milestone celebrations, and open communication about ownership transitions.
One business had moved to 100% employee ownership in stages, and what impressed me most was how they celebrated each step and kept everyone informed. That level of transparency is something I’d love to see more of across the sector.
Of course, choosing a winner wasn’t easy, but that’s what made the judging process so enjoyable. Alongside my fellow judges – James de le Vingne, Chief Executive of the eoa; Erin Gill, Global Corporate Affairs & Partnerships Leader at Arup; John Lewis Partnership President, Chris Earnshaw; and Sean Tregonning from last year’s ‘EOB of the Year’, Shaw Healthcare – I was looking at how EO shows up in different sectors, from law firms to community health providers, and how it’s adapted to fit each unique context.
I’ve worked in law firms myself, so I know how hierarchical they can be. Seeing EO challenge that structure and create something more inclusive was genuinely exciting. And while some businesses clearly had more resources to put into their applications, I was just as impressed by those who made the most of what they had, who showed creativity, care, and a deep understanding of what EO means.
Being part of this panel reminded me why I do what I do. It made me proud to be part of a sector that’s not only growing but doing so with integrity, purpose, and a real sense of community. I can’t wait for the winner to be announced but, in truth, every shortlisted business had something worth celebrating.