Latest employee ownership sector shows positive growth in top 50 report
Employee ownership businesses enjoy higher levels of productivity. In the latest publication of the Employee Ownership Association’s (EOA) annual 2018 Top 50 Report, shows positive growth for the employee ownership sector. With a combined sales value of nearly £20bn, five new entries to the Top 50 and an almost 10% median increase in operating profits.
25% UK-Registered companies are under employee ownership
The Top 50 list, covers independent UK-registered companies that are at least 25% owned by their employees on a broad basis. And UK subsidiaries of non-UK companies that are more than 75% employee owned. Nigel Mason, Director of the RM2 Partnership said: “It’s been a challenging year for UK businesses. Especially for those on the high street, but total sales for companies on this year’s Top 50 list are up 6.5% on a like-for-like* basis. A figure that shows resilience and sustained high growth in the employee owned sector.
250 Companies transitioned to employee ownership since 2014
“More than 250 businesses including Aardman Animations and Riverford Organic Farmers have transitioned to an EOT since 2014. Many of them below the Top 50, which has helped the sector diversify in size. As more businesses realise the benefits of this business model. We will continue our conversations with government about support for employee ownership. We are very confident that the sector will continue to grow.” 2018 has been a particularly interesting year for the EOA. It enjoyed significant attention in the national media, which generated new levels of interest and engagement in the sector. In addition, the three main political parties in the UK directly consulted with the EOA to incorporate elements of employee ownership into their manifestos.
The top findings from the employee ownership report include:
- £19.8bn combined sales of Top 50 employee-owned companies (up 6.5% on like-for-like basis)
- 9.2% median increase in operation profits
- 7.3% increase in productivity year-on-year (Compared to UK productivity which fell by 0.1% Q1 2017 to Q1 2018)
- 171,000 combined employees (down 1% on a like-for-like basis)
- 54% of companies with no net debt
For the first time in five years, there has been a decrease in the combined sales of the Top 50. This is because of tough trading conditions in the retail sector. Mainly due to the demise of wholesaler Palmer and Harvey. Meanwhile, there was a fall in profits and head count for the Top-50’s number one John Lewis & Partners, which still fared better than many of its high street counterparts.
Employee owned businesses securing future business values
Deb Oxley, CEO of the Employee Ownership Association, said: “It is an exciting time for the sector with founders of big British brands such as Riverford, Aardman and Sawday’s choosing employee ownership. In order to secure the future of the business’ values and ethos while rooting the jobs and associated value to the region in the UK indefinitely. “A tough time for retail in 2018 has had an impact on the total sales of the Top 50. This shows that no business is immune to market pressures. However, like-for-like total sales are up by 6.5%, and our sector has seen a continuing rise in productivity bucking the national trend. Findings that only add weight to the evidence and recommendations of the Ownership Dividend. Evidence shows that the independent nature of EO business and the structures they adopt to engage their employees allow for growth over the longer term and have a huge, positive impact on business performance.”
The ownership dividend report
This year The Ownership Dividend report was published. Chaired by Baroness Sharon Bowles, the inquiry Report contains the most comprehensive, robust and compelling evidence about employee ownership in the UK to date. This report shows how the employee ownership sector can provide the positive solutions needed to face many of the challenges currently facing the UK economy.
The employee-owned sector counts for over £30 billion contribution to UK GDP and is growing by a rate of 10% a year. Despite this, the sector’s profile is comparatively low and its potential contribution to the economy is under-exploited as a result.
To view the full findings of the Employee Ownership Top 50 Report, please visit https://employeeownership.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Employee-Ownership-Top-50-2018.pdf
Notes to Editors:
Contact Information:
- This article is written by Jules Daly, Marketing and Communications Manager at Powersystems UK.
- Email jules.daly@powersystemsuk.com Telephone 01454 318000
- Photography Copyright please credit all images used to powersystemsuk.co.uk
Powersystems are powering the transition to a carbon free future
As a high voltage specialist electrical engineering company with over 45 years (1977-2022) experience Powersystems have grown by reputation to become a trusted force in the design, installation and commissioning of electrical infrastructure across the UK.
Celebrating 25 years as the first Lloyds National Electricity Registration Scheme ‘s accredited Independent Connection Provider (ICP), Powersystems are capable of delivering contestable grid connections at voltages up to 132 kV.
Since 2000, Powersystems have connected over 6 Gigawatts of renewable energy generation to the UK electricity grid, along with decarbonisation technology which includes; wind energy projects, solar, anaerobic digestion, hydroelectric, electrical vehicle infrastructure, short term operating reserve STOR, combined heat and power (CHP), Grid stability projects like rotating stabilisers, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) as well as commercial industrial private wire networks.
Working with partners, delivering sustainable power solutions, proudly the Powersystems high voltage specialist team have connected 27% of all U.K. onshore wind farm
At the core of the operation is a commitment to the highest values of health and safety, welfare, quality and the environment. Powersystems Integrated management systems are ISO accredited and their approach under their health and safety ‘Priority No.1’ brand is to aim for the best industry practice in all.
Powersystems UK Ltd. is an Employee-Owned Business and as such has a keen interest in the well-being of all its employees. They encourage and empower you to be imaginative, share great ideas and be involved in the success of the business.
Speak to Powersystems today
You can contact us as follows