Nominations Open for the UK Employee Ownership Awards 2025

Nominations have officially opened for the prestigious UK Employee Ownership Awards 2025 sponsored by Baxendale Employee Ownership.

Image: The UK Employee Ownership Awards 2025, sponsored by Baxendale Employee Ownership

Taking place on the first day of the eoa Annual Conference, the UK Employee Ownership Awards celebrate the achievements of businesses that truly deliver people power. 

They recognise both businesses and individuals who drive effective EO practices and empower employee owners to unlock Great EO impacts. 

Hosted by the eoa, and sponsored by Baxendale Employee Ownership – a leading employee owned business and eoa Specialist Advisor - the awards showcase stories of a Proudly Employee Owned sector that’s proven to deliver: 

• Better employee wellbeing and livelihood outcomes
• Increased business growth and productivity
• A range of positive impacts for stakeholders and communities

“We are delighted to return as sponsor for the UK Employee Ownership Awards – the awards began in their current form in 2015, celebrating EO pioneers and EO excellence rooted in the legacy of our founder Philip Baxendale,” said Cristín Craig, Senior Legal Manager of Baxendale Employee Ownership.

“Over the last decade, Baxendale Employee Ownership has been at the forefront of supporting the EO sector grow in scale, pace, and impact along with elevating the awards to an exceptional showcase of Great EO practices that drive greater productivity and growth

“We cannot wait to see this year’s entries and winners and celebrate success with the amazing businesses and employee owners synonymous with this thriving sector.”

Categories

As in previous years, the awards are built around five key categories – four of which are open to nominations. The categories are:

1. EO Transition of the Year (a business that has transitioned to EO on or since 1 September 2024)

2. EO Rising Star of the Year (a business that transitioned to EO on or since July 1 2022)

3. Employee Owner of the Year (an individual who has delivered significant impact within their business)

4. Employee Owned Business of the Year (any EO business that has delivered significant impact for the EO sector)

5. Philip Baxendale Fellowship Award – nominees are selected by a panel with a final decision made by the eoa and UK EO Awards sponsor, Baxendale Employee Ownership

Why Apply?

We’re all about employee owned businesses, but we’re all often guilty of not taking the time to stop, take stock, and celebrate our successes. 

That’s why applying to the awards is such an amazing opportunity to reflect on how far you’ve come, how your hard work is paying off, and how you’re embodying and benefiting from people power. 

If you’re wondering whether to apply, we’ll always encourage you to fill out an application. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. We know from previous winners that an UK EO Award can be truly transformative.

In fact, ‘EO Transition of the Year’ 2024 winner, Blue Flame, said: "Winning the ‘EO Transition of the Year’ award was a defining moment for us – it recognised the teamwork and clear vision behind our change to an employee owned business.”

It’s going to be an event to remember – with a daytime ceremony and an evening festival themed celebration taking place at the eoa Annual Conference, so make sure you give the chance for your business to be in the spotlight.

How to Apply

Head over to the dedicated UK EO Awards page – or use the links above for each category.

You’ve got until 11:59pm on September 5 to get your nominations in.

Judging

Keep checking in as we announce key judges shortly and the shortlisted businesses later this year. 

Winners will be revealed at a gala dinner at the eoa Annual Conference. Click or tap here to secure your tickets. 

We can’t wait to read all your incredible nominations. If last year was anything to go by, the judges will really have their work cut out for them.