EOA Conference 2021

Headline Sponsors with Postlethwaite

Once again, we were delighted to be able to support the Employee Ownership Association through our sponsorship of their annual conference, hosted on 16th-18th November 2021. This was our third year of co-sponsorship with Postlethwaite Solicitors, and one which saw the event taking place as a fully virtual experience for the first time.

What could delegates expect?

As with most conferences, there was a mixture of keynote speakers, case study sessions and discussions, as well as some panels on key topics for delegates to choose from.

This year there were also more opportunities to get interactive, with networking tables between the live events each day. This provided the opportunity to meet the day’s speakers, the EOA team and council, and join tables with topics for wider discussions.

You could also visit the photobooth and add your image to the mosaic wall, leave a message in the diary room, explore the EO Stories and award winners in more detail and access a host of additional resources all from one virtual event map.

All registered delegates have access to the event, sessions, recordings and resources for 60 days

Sessions we supported

Designing and delivering the Trust Board

Working as an independent trustee for 2 employee-owned businesses, and understanding the challenges faced when establishing effective working practices, Jeremy shared some key considerations and held a discussion during day one.

Joined by Tim Frankland of Claremont and Lucy Wallwork of LUC, the panelists shared their experience, gave guidance and answered live questions on this key area of governance for employee-owned businesses.

Effective Leadership Behaviours

Philippa shared her experience of great leadership behaviours as part of a panel discussion during day three. Reflecting on her own experience as a leader within an employee-owned organisation, and also her extensive support of clients whilst working as an associate with JGA, Philippa brought her unique perspective to the discussion. Being the best you can to enable your people to perform was a key message.

Joined by Steve Webber of The Rooflight Company and John Housego of Aquascot, the panelists considered different approaches, their own top tips and recommendations in addition to answering delegates’ live questions.

How to become employee-owned

Delivered in conjunction with Robert Postlethwaite, Jeremy was on hand to outline some best practice on preparing a business for transition to employee ownership. He focused on preparing for change and enabling the people within the organisation to really understand the opportunities and rewards of this ownership model.

Joined by Lindsay Tulley from LDA Design, this session offered a checklist of key considerations for anyone investigating employee ownership as a succession plan for their business.

Virtual networking and interactive activities

Introduced for this year, the virtual networking was hosted through Airmeet, a platform designed for interactive digital events. Delegates clicked through to find an array of tables and topic opportunities that they could hop between, or settle in for a longer discussion.

These provided the opportunity for JGA Associates to host a number of tables, and over the three days we explored with delegates the following topics:

How do you embed EO?
Effective communications between Executive and Trust Boards
CEO-led transition to EO
Turning a leadership team into a Board
Getting your people change ready
Benefits and opportunities of being an employee representative

In addition to these, Jeremy and Philippa joined the speakers’ tables each day, and Garry Davis was on hand to share more detail about ‘How to be an Empowering Leader or Manager in an EO Business’, available through EO Learn.

The event map also provided access to the exhibition hall, EOA overview and some really useful links to key resources from their library. All the EO Stories were also accessible through this space, with details of all the nominations and winners. Congratulations once again to all the winners, which included no fewer than three JGA clients.