JGA @ EOA Conference 2022: Our key takeaways
Liverpool, the city where exciting things happen: not just the next Eurovision Song Contest but last week’s eagerly-awaited in-person EOA Conference 2022. JGA was delighted to be back ‘in the room’ with others as a Platinum Exhibitor at the ‘go to’ event for EO.
The conference was busy and buzzing, with keynote speeches and debates from high-profile leaders and EO influencers, alongside workshops, discussions, case study sessions and a gala celebration of this year’s EO Stories awards.
For JGA, the mix of 670 founders, leaders, employee owners, trustees and expert providers from more than 200 companies made Liverpool the ideal place for us to connect, learn and share our insight on today’s hottest EO topics.
This ranged from how to develop the next generation of EO leaders in an interactive workshop delivered by our Lead Associate Pip Meaden, to practical steps to strengthen your board.
MD Jeremy Gadd and our Associates also took the chance to introduce some of the services JGA has launched to equip businesses to navigate the challenging economic climate. This includes our new Coaching through Change programme of support.
The right support for your business – at the right time
So what were our key takeaways from the EOA Conference 2022?
For Jeremy, the conference confirmed how important it is during fast-moving change to engage the right support at the right time from a provider that knows what it’s doing – with a clear focus on the tangible value this adds.
As he explains: ‘With such a breadth of businesses transitioning to EO, it’s easy to take advice which isn’t right for your company, so I was pleased to see the growing recognition that becoming employee-owned is an evolutionary process that requires a different focus at different times.
‘This aligns with what JGA knows from our experience of supporting more than 80 businesses at various stages of their EO journey, and is why we first developed our successful transition, embed and accelerate approach.’
Developing effective Trustees – and a stronger board
Adrian Wheale, our Associate Resourcing and executive board development expert, liked the opportunity for face-to-face contact with the EO community. ‘I also enjoyed the excellent sessions on finance and the economy, with brilliant insight into the business ramifications of the fast-moving political landscape,’ he says.
Kathie Robb was one of five Associates who hosted a dedicated networking session from JGA’s stand, focusing on the support we offer to Employee Trustees through our Trustee Connect network. Other topics on our hosted networking schedule included building Trust Board effectiveness with Associate Lisa Fryer and building a stronger board with Adrian.
‘My highlights were that the pace was so much more measured, which allowed time and space for more meaningful conversations at our stand with prospective and existing clients, and a more joined-up feeling for us as a team,’ says Kathie.
‘I was surprised by how many people we met who we already knew, and it was great to see so many familiar faces,’ she adds. ‘We also heard so many useful, relevant and inspiring stories from EO businesses, which is always good.’
‘With such a breadth of businesses transitioning to EO, it’s easy to take advice which isn’t right for your company, so I was pleased to see the growing recognition that becoming employee-owned is an evolutionary process that requires a different focus at different times’
Jeremy Gadd, MD
All aboard the EO Product Showcase
Associate Libby Unsworth enjoyed facilitating the Case Study session focusing on Shawston’s seven-year EO journey.
But the two days weren’t all ‘work’: as a keen camper, Libby also found time to explore inside the Jerba campervan at the conference’s new-for-2022 Product Showcase, where other EO companies including Go Ape and Lush were demonstrating their products too.
Needless to say, Libby was in her element on board Jerba’s campervan – and knew exactly where everything should go…
JGA’s in-person team were supported virtually by Coaching Lead and change expert Corrine Thomas, who was on hand to discuss our new Coaching through Change service, while Virtual PA Nessa Good was available behind-the-scenes to coordinate follow-up appointments and No Obligation Meetings.
Catching up with our trusted partners
Finally, it wouldn’t be an EOA Conference for JGA without the chance to catch up with so many of our trusted partners. Companies ranging from Fieldfisher to RM2 were well represented, while fellow Platinum Exhibitor Postlethwaite Solicitors was located right next to us on an adjoining stand.
Jeremy was particularly pleased at a comment made by Danny Sims, Chairman, DJS Research (an EO Stories 2022 winner) that was prompted by the chance to win 10 copies of The Employee Ownership Manual from the Postlethwaite stand.
This essential guide to EO transition was written by Robert Postlethwaite with input from Jeremy. Danny described it as ‘a perfect combination of all of the ‘black and white’ legal information that you need to know about EO combined with how to communicate and engage with employees prior to transition by Jeremy Gadd’.
Danny’s verdict? ‘Highly recommended!’. We know we’re biased, but we couldn’t agree more...
JGA’s transition, people and governance services equip businesses to achieve the change they want in challenging times. To find out more about how we can enable you and your organisation to navigate today’s fast-changing economic climate, please get in touch here.