Unlocking the benefits of EO
Robert Camp, Managing Partner at Stephens Scown, explains how JGA enabled the law firm to leverage the advantages of its employee-owned model.
Untapped potential
“After becoming employee owned in 2016, we found ourselves having transitioned to the new model without understanding how to make it work for our business. I knew that giving everyone a stake in the business had the potential to attract and retain the right talent, engage our employees and ultimately help the firm become more profitable and sustainable. It wasn’t until meeting the JGA team at the employee owners conference in 2016 that I understood we needed to engage a specialist in this field to really unlock the benefits of employee ownership.
For Scownership to become the central motivator for staff and therefore have a direct impact on the growth and success of the business, we needed to help employees understand, and feel excited about their new roles as co-owners, while exploring untapped synergies between our strategic board and elected trustees.”
Defining Scownership
“JGA facilitated a series of workshops with Stephen Scowns’ strategic board and elected trustees, resulting in clear business objectives and workstreams designed to embed the Scownership ethos in all aspects of the firm’s service delivery model.
The level of openness and collaboration throughout the sessions was inspiring; there was a real appetite to sustain this momentum to inspire all employees with the Scownership ethos. As well as exploring synergies and commonalities between the two groups, the workshops resulted in a clear road-map for fully engaging the trustees as owners,” comments Robert.
Working together
“Establishing the right forums and structures to improve communication and collaboration between the trustees, employees and the strategic board was a key workshop outcome.
This workstream will really help us leverage the ideas of everyone in the business through ensuring healthy mechanisms are in place to give everyone a voice, power to influence and challenge the board where necessary.”
“JGA’s expertise has been fundamental in getting our employee ownership journey to the next level, and ensuring we’re leveraging the benefits of our creation. They’ve been in business a long time and understand the variety of employee ownership models and engagement drivers.”
ROBERT CAMP
Capturing and sharing the journey
Defining and sharing the journey to Scownership was identified as a key enabler for driving engagement and sustainable business growth.
“We’re eager to ensure the essence of Scownership is reflected in all aspects of our firm narrative. We’re confident that defining and showcasing Scownership will drive business performance and growth, through attracting and retaining employees and clients who believe in our vision,” says Robert.
Foundations for success
Less than three months after the workshops, Olivia Miller, solicitor and trustee, is already witnessing positive changes within the firm.
“The workshops encouraged us to re-engage with the reasons for becoming employee owned, and challenged us to consider the changes required to reach our perfect model.
I left the day feeling really motivated to push the Scownership ethos throughout the firm. Communication and idea sharing have been much more open following the workshops, especially between the trustees and board,” reflects Olivia.
Summary
J Gadd Associates (JGA) have worked with Stephens Scown law firm since 2017, helping the business leverage the benefits of their new employee owned model through a series of facilitated workshops with the strategic board and elected trustees.
Stephens Scown is the first large law firm in the UK to give all eligible members of staff an equal share in its profits. In a sector that has traditionally seen partners alone share in the profits, it is a move which has attracted interest from across the UK.
