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Post EOT

Life after Employee Ownership — What's the story

Lancashire | Wednesday 16 October 2024 | 11:00 - 12:30

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In partnership with

Beever and struthers

Want to find out what life is like after a business becomes employee-owned (EO)?

Look no further than our upcoming panel discussion. Taking place in our Lancashire office on Wednesday 16 October, this will feature four senior business leaders who’ve been there and done it, as well as guest speaker Sam Blakeborough from the Employee Ownership Association.

With the EO sector growing by 37% this year, we now have over 1,600 EO businesses in the UK. Since the introduction of the employee ownership trust (EOT) in 2014, we’ve been there as the sector has transformed, with a diverse range of SMEs leading the charge.

Although the spread of employee ownership varies region to region, the top five sectors seeing growth are: 

  1. Professional Services (39%) 
  2. Manufacturing (13%) 
  3. Construction (12.5%) 
  4. Wholesale and Retail Trade (11.6%) 
  5. Information and communications (8%)

 

From driving wellbeing and prosperity, to delivering growth-boosting investment in skills, knowledge and innovation — there’s a plenty to be learned from businesses that are truly people powered. 

Our panel will discuss everything you need to know about the EO transition, from employee engagement to communication and client feedback, plus the positives of having a five-year plan.

Date & time
Location

16-18 Sceptre Court
Sceptre Way
Walton Summit Centre, Preston
PR5 6AW 

Meet our speakers below.

Register now to book your place.

If you have any questions, about this event please contact events@brabners.com.

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Sam Blakeborough

Sam Blakeborough

Policy Lead, Employee Ownership Association

With a background in public policy and a focus on economic democracy, Sam joined the EOA in November 2022 as its first Policy lead. His priority was to develop a strategy for growing the employee ownership (EO) sector and present it to key decision-makers.

Ahead of the general election, Sam worked with partners and advisors to propose policies for expanding EO, supporting employee-owned businesses (EOBs), and engaging the government on how EO supports economic growth and sustainability.

He also collaborates with researchers to build evidence on EO in the UK. In 2023, Sam contributed to the EO Knowledge Programme and is now working with the White Rose Centre of Employee Ownership to create new methods for live-tracking data on EOB performance.

Richard Slater

Richard Slater

Chair, Lancashire Business View

Richard Slater is the founder and chairman of Lancashire Business View which was launched with a mission to ‘connect the county’ in 2005. In addition to its award-winning bi-monthly print magazine, Lancashire Business View has a loyal online following and stages around 40 key corporate events for the county each year. These include Red Rose Awards, which celebrates its 15th outing in 2025, as well as the Lancashire Conference series, Lancashire Business Day, the Festival of Business and a host of roundtable, debate and networking opportunities. Richard has hosted events for organisations including the NHS, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Institute of Directors, Chamber of Commerce, professional service practices, local authorities and colleges.

Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson

Trustee and Finance Director (Part-time), RFS Group

Anthony's expertise lies in creating comprehensive financial models that showcase a company's past performance and future potential. These models are used to attract investors and lenders. He also specialises in analysing management information and assisting businesses in securing financing to fuel their growth. Over the past six years Anthony has been instrumental in helping several companies transition to EOTs and currently serves as a trustee director on three EOT boards, including Raised Floor Solutions. 

Caroline Noblett

Caroline Noblett

Managing Director, Granby

Caroline is Managing Director and direct report to our Finance and Human Resources team, and oversees all financial functions and acts as support to the other departments across the Granby business. Before starting at Granby, Caroline had experience dealing with accounting in the Motor Industry for many well-known car brands and was also a financial manager in the construction industry.

Paul Bailey

Paul Bailey

Managing Director, Optimum

Paul is a very experienced Entrepreneur and Business expert in the SME sector and is passionate about developing management teams. He is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a graduate of the Manchester Business School full time MBA programme.