Make Your Voice Heard – Evolving the eoa at People Powered Business

Our People Powered Business: eoa AGM event is the chance for members to have their say on proposals to evolve how the eoa is governed. Below we lay out the changes and how they support us to meet the future needs of the EO sector. Sign up now to attend the event. 

The employee ownership sector has changed dramatically over the last few years and so has the role of the eoa. 

We’re supporting more members than ever, engaging deeper in policy, and helping shape the future scale and impact of employee ownership across the UK. As the sector grows, the expectations placed on us grow too.

That’s why, at this year’s People Powered Business: eoa AGM members will be asked to vote on an important set of updates to our governance. 

These changes enable us to build on a strong foundation and ensure the eoa remains fit for the future as we propel employee ownership into the mainstream. 

If you want to influence the future shape of the eoa and how we’re structured, the AGM is your moment. 

You’re appointed representative will need to understand the proposed changes and either attend to vote or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf.

Why Change?

Although we’re not employee owned ourselves, the eoa is a not-for-profit run in the interests of our members. As we approach our fiftieth year, the Board has reflected on whether our governance model fully supports our evolving role and ambition. 

Over the last year, we’ve carried out a detailed and collaborative review shaped by legal advice, research and benchmarking against peer associations, as well as input from the eoa Membership Council (EMC) and contributions from our senior leadership team.

The result is a set of proposals designed to:

• Strengthen our governance
• Create stability
• Improve accountability
• Ensure our decision-making structures reflect both best practice and the future needs of the sector
• Enable us to recruit the skills that help drive the eoa’s key objectives

The Board – A More Skills-Focussed Approach

Currently, the Board is made up of how many members are represented. If the Board representative leaves the business, they can put an alternative forward.

If the proposals are formally accepted, this model would create a core Board comprised of nine Directors. Broken down, this will be made up of: 

• Two Executive Directors – Chief Executive James de le Vingne and one non senior member of the eoa
• Four Non-Executive Directors from employee owned member business – including one representative from the EMC
• Up to three Non-Executive Directors from non-member businesses – appointed for specific skills and experience

The focus will be on appointing individuals based on strengths required by the eoa at that moment – whether that’s policy, leadership, advocacy, or other specialist capabilities. This also allows us to plan for a balanced mix of skills.

Equally, the changes reduce the risk of disruption when people change roles or move businesses. 

eoa Membership Council - Stronger Role for Member Voice

The eoa Membership Council (EMC) plays a central role in shaping our membership proposition and supporting the development of our offering. 

The proposals empower members through the EMC in two meaningful ways.

Firstly, the EMC gains a formal Board seat within the member-elected Director group as outlined above. This cannot be the current Chair of the EMC.

Secondly, the EMC will ratify Director appointments and have a clearer role in accountability and governance.

Together, this maintains member control whilst giving the eoa the flexibility to appoint specialist talent where needed at Board level.

Staff Representation on Board

Fostering a more holistic relationship between the eoa and the Board, a new Executive Director role will be created for an eoa team member outside of SLT. They’ll be appointed through an open internal process and supported by training.

This approach has been directly inspired by Board structures at many of our members. 

Leadership Clarity & Continuity

Where ultimate governance oversight is concerned, the proposals formalise the roles of Chair and Vice-Chair, with clear expectations and service-level agreements. 

Both roles may be appointed from within or outside the existing Board (with legibility safeguards in place). However, the two need to be a mix of internal and external.

Ultimately, this will provide flexibility while protecting independence and integrity.

What This Means for Members

If approved, these changes will deliver a new governance model for the eoa that strengthens member voice and supports a more strategic and effective Board. 

It also brings practical operational insight into Board discussions, ensures important safeguards remain in place, and maintains continuity while planning for the future. 

Moreover, it enables the eoa to appoint the skills we need to deliver the UK EO Growth Strategy.

This will be a phased approach as existing Directors will continue to serve their terms, and the new model will be phrased in through to 2028.

Why Your Participation Matters

As a member-owned association, your vote directly shapes the future of the eoa. This is a unique opportunity to help evolve the way our governance operates, unlocking future opportunities that directly impact the EO sector.

The proposed articles, and the governance model they enable, can only be adopted with member approval at our forthcoming AGM.

Each member business has – or will have – an appointed representative to vote (or agree a proxy to represent their vote on their behalf). 

These representatives will be emailed directly. However, anyone from the membership can attend to hear about the changes, witness the vote, and hear from eoa and board representatives. 

The decisions we make together will determine how well the eoa can continue to represent, support, and advocate for the EO sector in the years to come. 

Join Us at the AGM

People Powered Business: eoa AGM takes place on Wednesday 13 May at 11:00 – 12:00. 

You’ll hear directly from our leadership and the Board, ask questions, cast your voice, and shape the next chapter of the eoa.

Sign up to join the AGM and make your voice count.