Last week, the Employee Ownership Ireland team – Karen Maguire, Aidan O’Neill, and Catherine Muldoon – travelled to London and Oxford for the Oxford Symposium on Employee Ownership.
Three days. Countless conversations. Ideas and insights that will shape our work for months to come.
The Journey and Opening Sessions in London
We began in the heart of London at CMS, surrounded by policy leaders, researchers, and employee-owned businesses from across the world.
For Catherine, it was the first time hearing the ESOP model explained in depth, beyond what she’d read. Michael Quarrey’s story of Web Industries stood out – an honest, inspiring account of employee ownership in action. Vince Cable’s candid recollection of the 2014 review provided invaluable context for the UK model we work with today.
Ann Tyler, Chair of Ownership at Work, left us with a phrase that has stuck: “the dignity of ownership.”
It’s this dignity – the empowerment of employees as co-owners – that makes EO more than just a business model.
Oxford – Global Perspectives, Shared Challenges
The University of Oxford provided a fitting setting for two days of intense discussion and learning.
We heard from voices including Senator Tony Loffreda, Jone Nolte Usparicha, James de le Vingne, Johnny Aisher, and Graeme Nuttall OBE, among many others. Themes emerged that resonate deeply for Northern Ireland:
- Resilience and inclusion – EO firms outperform in retention, productivity, and crisis recovery.
- Succession as a hidden risk – EO can keep businesses, jobs, and value in local communities when founders exit.
- Legislation and awareness – Regions that embed EO into economic strategy see measurable benefits.
Karen joined an international panel with James de le Vingne, Tej Gonza, Kristie Mark, Pascale Nieuwland-Jansen, and Olivia Hansen. The discussion ranged from securing funding to persuading governments to legislate for EO. It was a chance to share the Northern Ireland perspective and exchange ideas with peers tackling similar challenges in very different contexts.
Why It Matters for Northern Ireland
Across the sessions, one message was clear: EO isn’t experimental – it’s proven. Yet in Northern Ireland, it’s still underused. The opportunity is in plain sight:
- Build EO into the Department for the Economy’s 10x Vision.
- Make it a standard succession option in business advice.
- Focus on keeping ownership – and economic value – in local communities.
Our role at EOI is to ensure these connections are made, and that EO is recognised as a strategic lever for growth and resilience.
Closing at Blenheim Palace – A Moment to Reflect
The final evening took us to Blenheim Palace – a setting steeped in history and grandeur.
As Karen reflected:
“The scale and history of the place are incredible, but it also made me think about the contrast between where we were, once reserved for the few, and what we were there to talk about: spreading ownership, keeping wealth in communities, and making things fairer.”
James Bonham of The ESOP Association closed the night with a powerful reminder: EO changes lives, protects jobs, and builds a better future for the many, not just the few.
Looking Ahead
We left Oxford inspired, challenged, and energised. The conversations we had – with people who have been in EO for decades, and with those just starting their journey – will feed directly into our work in Northern Ireland.
And, just days later, the news broke that The Entertainer toy shop had transitioned to EO, creating 1,900 new employee owners, including in Northern Ireland. A timely reminder that this movement is growing – and that the time for action is now.
