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.
EOA Conference 2022 – 6 reasons we’re going ‘Platinum’ to help boost #GoodEO
It’s back, it’s in Liverpool and it’s happening from 3 to 4 October: yes, the final countdown to the 2022 EOA Conference is now on. At JGA, we can’t wait to play our part as a Platinum Exhibitor at the ‘go to’ event for employee ownership – bringing fresh thinking to unlock the potential of being EO.
Will you be there? If so and you’re looking for trusted support with the transition, people or governance aspects of your employee ownership, come and find us in the ACC Liverpool’s 30-stand exhibition and networking space.
Our knowledgeable team will be ready to help on Stand 2 where – new for this year – JGA will be one of only a few exhibitors who can provide a more private, sit-down hosting space for those useful one-to-one / no-obligation conversations.
It’s the final countdown – here’s why we’re so excited about the EOA Conference 2022:
1. It’s back – and it’s in person
It’s been three long years but the fully in-person EOA Conference is back! At JGA, we’re all set to make the most of this chance to listen, learn and catch up with our dynamic EO networks – and connect with EO’s newest movers and shakers too.
2. JGA is going ‘Platinum’ to help #GrowEO
New for 2022 is our role as a Platinum Exhibitor, drawing on our previous experience as joint conference headline sponsors since 2019. From Stand 2, we’ll be making full use of our more private hosting space to offer no-obligation conversations. We’ll also be sharing our practical knowledge, insight and opportunities for topic-focused networking – on the hottest issues impacting EO right now.
3. The packed agenda – what will you choose?
Keynote interviews, case study seminars, workshops plus networking, insights and shared expertise – in economically uncertain times, the 2022 EOA Conference looks set to provide ever better value than before. The challenge? Which speeches, sessions and workshops to choose…
We’re excited that so many of JGA’s own network are playing their part in this year’s packed agenda. This includes Adam Campbell from Telos Partners – our delivery partners on EO Learn’s How to be an Empowering Leader or Manager course – who will be hosting a workshop on building a strategy for growth. Former JGA client The 1:1 Diet is also set to take part in a panel discussion on being Financially free to revitalise your business. Meanwhile our Associate Libby Unsworth is facilitating a Case Study session on the success of Shawston’s success at igniting leadership and putting people first. The challenge? Which speeches, sessions and workshops to choose…
4. Pip’s hosting her own EO leadership workshop
How do you develop the next generation of leaders? Our Lead Associate Pip Meaden will share the essential behaviours, skills plus a framework to develop your future EO leaders in this focused, interactive workshop. Not to be missed, Monday 3 October, 1pm.
5. Five former JGA clients are up for an EO Stories Award
We’re keeping everything crossed for The Rooflight Company, Seetec, and Hayes Davidson, Riverford Organics and Jerba Campervans – five of the 27 inspiring companies sharing their #GoodEO experience in the EO Stories Competition this year. We’re proud to have supported each of these inspiring businesses at different stages of their EO journeys. Winners announced Monday 3 October at the Celebration Dinner, from 7.30pm.
6. We’re in it together
In tough times it’s good to work together, so we’ll be making the most of the chance to catch up in person with the JGA trusted partners we know will be at the Conference – including key EO specialists Fieldfisher, Birketts, Postlethwaite Solicitors, RVE, RM2, TLT and Stephens Scown. We’re also excited to reconnect with the EOA’s new CEO James de le Vigne and his team, following our visit to their Hull HQ in May.
Going to the EOA Conference 2022 and need support with your EO transition, people or governance? JGA’s knowledgeable Associates will be on hand to offer practical knowledge, useful insight and (if required) a no-obligation conversation from our hosting space on Stand 2.
Not going? Not a problem. Follow our latest EOA Conference updates via @JGaddAssociates on Twitter or via the JGA Company Page on LinkedIn. Or get in touch with us here.
JGA’s Autumn Conference: fresh ideas to help clients maximise the benefits of being EO
Focused, creative, productive: our recent JGA Conference was an opportunity for our Associates to catch up again in person and finalise our plans for the 2022 Employee Ownership Association Conference – which we’re excited to support as a Platinum Exhibitor this year.
While October’s EOA Conference was the main focus of our get-together last week in Oxfordshire, that wasn’t all that was up for discussion.
Hot topics also included updates on our latest results, our evolving service offer and fresh ideas for how we can continue to enable our clients to leverage the benefits of their EO model in these uncertain times.
Associates shared many thoughtful (and thought-provoking) insights around the specific support we can offer businesses as they navigate the ongoing cost of living crisis – and the challenge / opportunity this brings.
Sharing our experience and new ideas
MD Jeremy Gadd was delighted at what our conversations achieved over the packed two days.
As he explains: ‘We’re a people business so I always look forward to the JGA Conference – it’s great to enjoy good company, focused discussions and, of course, good food!
‘While we often work closely with each other in delivering client value, it’s a privilege to spend dedicated time like this with the Associates. I enjoy the chance it gives us to share our experience and knowledge further and strengthen the relevance of our offer at a time of such uncertainty – and the opportunities the scale of this change presents.
‘I’m particularly excited at our plans for the EOA Conference and our role as a Platinum Exhibitor – we’ll be building on what we’ve learned as joint headline sponsors over the last three years.’
‘We’re a people business so I always look forward to the JGA Conference – it’s great to enjoy good company, focused discussions and, of course, good food!’
Jeremy Gadd, MD
Unlocking the potential of our clients
Associate Kathie Robb agrees. ‘I always enjoy the JGA Conference because it gives us all a chance to reconnect. This time it was especially useful to finalise our plans for October’s EOA Conference in Liverpool and get excited about our year ahead.’
Associate Garry Davis says he was inspired by ‘the ongoing passion to develop new products and services, expertise and delivery’ he felt and particularly excited about the recent success – and future potential – of our involvement with the EOA’s leadership development programme as part of EO Learn.
Associate and Coaching through Change Lead Corrine Thomas adds: ‘It was useful to be able to debate and discuss potential future services and how we can build on what we already have. There was a clear passion from everyone for evolving JGA and what we stand for.’
Fresh thinking for the EOA Conference
Looking ahead to this year’s EOA Conference, Corrine was ‘inspired’ by the detail and depth of our planning.
The whole JGA team will be involved in some way across the two days, either in person or virtually, with Lead Associate Pip Meaden delivering her own workshop on ‘Developing the next generation of leaders’.
Other Associates will be helping to facilitate or attending workshops and sessions, while supporting networking and other activities on our stand.
‘There’s a true sense of putting the client at the heart of everything we do, ensuring they get a good understanding of what we can offer and an opportunity to speak to us confidentially and with no obligation,’ says Corrine.
‘I always enjoy the JGA Conference because it gives us all a chance to reconnect. This time it was especially useful to finalise our plans for October’s EOA Conference in Liverpool and get excited about our year ahead’
Kathi’s Robb, Associate
All systems go for EO
Associate Libby Unsworth echoes that point.
‘I came away feeling we’re the best prepared we’ve ever been for the EOA Conference – there’s a been a lot of creativity and innovation at JGA over the last 12 months and we’re definitely embracing the benefits of our digital tools and tech.’
But the last word comes from Marketing and Comms Support Katy Perceval.
‘Good people, fresh ideas and the joy of being together again in one place with a shared purpose: the JGA Conference is a real highlight of my calendar,’ Katy reveals. ‘I love that we each bring an alternative perspective to the table – that we genuinely support, listen and learn from each other. It’s part of the fun of working with JGA.’
Going to the EOA Conference? If so, come and find us on Stand 2 next to our Trusted Partners Postlethwaite Solicitors Limited or follow our full coverage of what’s happening as it happens across our JGA Twitter and LinkedIn.
JGA @ EOA Conference
Inspiring, dynamic, fun – our Associates’ verdict on EOA Conference 2021
Three days, 30+ interactive sessions and a raft of opportunities for some great networking, insight sharing, learning and, of course, fun (photo booth, anyone?) – the 2021 Employee Ownership Association Conference was the big event in JGA’s winter calendar, and we were delighted to be headline sponsors with Postlethwaite for the third year in a row.
Our Associates played an active role across multiple live sessions and networking ‘tables’, as well as facilitating others’ discussions on EO’s hottest topics right now.
But one thing stood out – the chance to connect (and reconnect) with those who make EO such a vibrant sector felt particularly precious in such a tough year.
Find out what happened in our EOA Conference roundup. We also asked our Associates to share their feedback – here’s what they said.
JGA team having fun in the ‘photobooth’
Quality conversations, quality learning
For MD Jeremy Gadd, seeing J Gadd Associates step up as the conference’s headline sponsor once again was a real highlight. So, too, was the quality of the conversations he heard.
As he explains: ‘What makes these events so useful is the way in which people are prepared to not only share what has worked well, but also to open up about the challenges they’ve faced. It’s been said before, but you never stop learning.’
Associate Lisa Fryer agrees. ‘The virtual networking space between sessions, with general and topic-led discussions, was great. It really enabled us as individuals to connect and explore working together in more detail – as well as have some fun.’
A step change in content – and experience
Replicating the in-person conference experience online is new territory for most organisations, and Lisa praises the EOA team and First Event for further developing their offer this year.
‘Since ‘dipping the toe’ in virtual at EO Boost, and experimenting through their networking and webinar series, this fully virtual event was a step change in content and experience – and well worth the registration fee,’ she says.
‘The next challenge is how do they top this? If 2022’s EOA Conference is a hybrid event, the mix of prepared content, panel discussions and keynotes alongside networking and in-person sessions could be mind-blowing!’
No pressure then, EOA.
‘The EOA team did a great job keeping us on track’
Philippa Meaden
Great to see so many of the EOA team too
Leading by example
Associate Philippa Meaden also noted how the conference’s online connectivity has evolved. ‘It was a step up regarding how we were all able to interact this year,’ she says. ‘The EOA team did a great job organising and keeping us on track.’
Pip’s contribution to an incisive panel discussion on Effective Leadership Behaviours generated a busy online Q&A. Comments described her ‘authenticity’ in sharing her own experience of leading in a co-owned business as, in itself, ‘true leadership behaviour’.
‘It’s been said before, but you never stop learning’
Jeremy Gadd
Shared insight, shared values
What about the conference’s other contributors? These spanned diverse sectors, sizes and employee ownership models, as well as trusted partner consultancies offering transition, people and governance support.
‘Articulate’, ‘informed’, ‘switched on’ – ‘they’ve all got so much energy and positivity!’ were just some of the ways our Associates chose to describe the delegates and discussions they heard.
The opening day’s interview with Go Ape founders Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew felt especially relevant, as they shared their experience of putting values at the heart of decision-making.
Behind the scenes!!
‘The virtual networking space enabled us to connect and explore working together in more detail – as well as have some fun’
Lisa Fryer
Next steps
Were you there? All registered delegates have access to the Employee Ownership Association Conference 2021’s sessions, recordings and resources for 60 days. Catch up on what you missed here.
Want to know more about how JGA can support your organisation with our Transition, People and Governance services?
Get in touch here.
2021 EOA Conference
It’s been a long time coming but finally (finally!) it’s almost time for 2021’s EOA Conference – and at J Gadd Associates we’re excited. Not just because we’re headline sponsors with Postlethwaite Solicitors or because delegates can choose from 40 live sessions across three afternoons - but because our Associates really value this chance to connect / reconnect with the EO community we support.
So we’re looking forward to…
Adding value by sharing our own experience and insight around EO transition, people and governance in the sessions we host
Facilitating others’ discussions on the hot topics in EO right now
Networking with our EO community (nothing beats those real-person connections)
Learning more about Go Ape’s headline-grabbing transition in the plenary interview with Deb Oxley
As our Associate Kathie Robb puts it: ‘We’re expecting some great conversations.’ What are you looking forward to?
The 2021 EOA Conference runs across three afternoons on 16-18 November and is fully virtual, with access to 20+ hours’ learning content for 60 days after the event. Book your tickets and place now at the sessions you don’t want to miss via the EOA website
Garry facilitating at the conference
Garry received lots of positive feedback and generated interesting debate having facilitated the session "How to move to Employee Ownership".
A professional, adviser-led workshop on the practical actions you need to take to become employee owned, including legal, tax, behaviour and culture advice.
EOA Conference 2017
CDS - The Best EO Business
It was great to be a part of the EOA conference this year, made slightly more momentous as we were able to witness our clients, Community Dental Services (CDS) scoop the EOA award for best EO business.
Well done to them for a truly great year and here's to 2018.
Best in Class
November 2016, and another thought provoking Employee Ownership conference, delightfully compered by Martine Croxall.
There were plenty of engaging speakers all willing to share their employee owned stories, ensuring the deletes were challenged, informed and engaged at the 25+ workshops or seminars.
It was a pleasure to play our part in the following: engagement; use of brand; becoming an employee owner; aligning HR; dealing with the tough times; developing business literacy and even, the impact of automation. Amusing tips for networking were also provided by the comedian Neil Mullarkey.
The competition was stronger than ever for the various awards, and it was wonderful to see some of our clients rightly gain recognition for their achievements.
Well done Kerri Grant from Wise for receiving ‘Highly Commended’ Employee Owner of the Year, a fantastic achievement gained during an amazing year of growth for Wise. And to all at Cambridge Weight Plan for also receiving a ‘Highly Commended’, a wonderful accolade for a relatively new convert to employee ownership.
As I have reflected on what has been such a turbulent and ‘amazing year’, where the only certainty is uncertainty and where the growing numbers of those who feel aligned from opportunities, I am reminded it was during similar times that Spendan Lewis developed his ‘experiment in industrial democracy’. He created the John Lewis Partnership; ensuring all had the chance to share: Gain, Knowledge and Power. It is employee ownership which intricately links capital with labour, and with it provides the opportunity if handled appropriately, to bring people together by ‘working together’ for a shared purpose.