2021 Review – our Top 5
2021 was a year like no other – here’s 5 things we won’t forget
2021, what a year. The lockdown, the hybrid working, the endless hours on Teams and Zoom – it’s not been the easiest time for any business, or their people. And it’s not over yet.
At JGA, we’ve felt it too but have been inspired by our resilient clients. Here’s our five highlights of the year just gone…
1. Getting together again – in person
It was a long time coming (and good while it lasted), but in October we were finally able to get together for the first time since 2019. Face-to-face, no ‘you’re on mute’, real coffee, real biscuits… our Associates’ Day was a treat. It was productive too, as we focused on mapping out our role as Employee Ownership Association Conference Headline Sponsors the following month.
2. Welcoming our first employees
It’s official – JGA has employees! And that’s exciting, as it’s the first step on our journey from a business run on an Associate model to one that can become employee-owned. ‘This feels significant,’ confirms Associate Lisa Fryer who, as our first employee, has helped complete the essential planning and groundwork to secure JGA’s future and growth.
3. Supporting inspirational clients to become EO
Every client’s transition is a big day in JGA’s calendar but this year one in particular stood out for our Associate Philippa Meaden – Kilnbridge. Supporting this specialist engineering and construction business to transition to EO in May, to a tight deadline while working remote during lockdown, was ‘a highlight of my year’, she confirms. Today, Pip’s still supporting Kilnbridge’s EO journey as it embeds a shared ownership culture in its 800-strong team.
‘In 2022, we’ll be building on our successful approach to hybrid working to enable clients to unlock the opportunities ahead’
Jeremy Gadd
4. Promoting EO as EOA Conference Headline Sponsors
We’d done it before, we did it again: in November, JGA was proud to step up as Headline Sponsors (with Postlethwaite) of the Employee Ownership Association’s Conference for the third year in a row. Three days of virtual networking, insight sharing, conversation and fun, captured in our EOA Conference roundup – with all sessions, recordings and resources available to registered delegates for 60 days after the event.
5. Strengthening and launching new services
The world of work, business and EO is evolving, and JGA is evolving too. This year, we enhanced our Governance offer with the launch of four new services, including Independent Trustee Resourcing and Building a stronger board. As Lisa points out: ‘With today’s focus on ESG, good governance isn’t a ‘nice to have’ – it’s a must have for organisations.’ Get set to hear more about this in 2022.
So if that’s 2021 (almost) done and dusted, what now?
At JGA, 2022 is looking good as we have exciting plans to expand the support we provide for both EO and non-EO clients.
‘We’ll be building on our successful approach to hybrid working to enable clients to unlock the challenges and opportunities ahead,’ says MD Jeremy Gadd. ‘We’re looking forward to launching new services, starting with our refreshed Coaching offer for those charged with leading organisational change.’
As a proud supporter member, we’re also interested to see what the future holds for the EOA, where Chief Executive Deb Oxley is stepping down after six years in the role.
‘We’d like to thank Deb for all the energy, support and encouragement she’s given us and the wider EO community,’ concludes Jeremy, ‘and we’re looking forward to working as successfully with new Chief Executive James de le Vingne.’