Four Yorkshire businesses make shortlist for UK Employee Ownership Awards 2024

The eoa has shared the list of businesses shortlisted in the UK Employee Ownership Awards, including four Yorkshire-based firms.

The awards celebrate the achievements of businesses that truly deliver people power. They recognise businesses and individuals who drive effective employee ownership (EO) practices and empower employee owners to unlock Great EO impacts.

Ranging from SMEs to larger firms and across niche manufacturing, heating, renewable or electrical specialists, care, PR, law, and farming, these shortlisted businesses have one thing in common – their business model and governance supports employees to have a stake and a say in the business.

James de le Vingne, Chief Executive of the eoa, said: “The calibre of applications show the remarkable accomplishments of employee owned businesses at various stages of EO from regions and industries across the UK.

“These proudly employee owned businesses are leading the way in developing Great EO practices, delivering increased employee wellbeing and business performance, and contributing to People Powered Growth in the UK.”

Martin Camp, Head of Business Development and Growth at Howden, said: “We’re delighted to support the UK Employee Ownership Awards 2024, celebrating the Great EO results delivered by employee owners and businesses that fully leverage their EO approach, roles, and actions.

“These submissions bring to life how individuals and businesses are delivering and evolving employee ownership to support better livelihood outcomes for employees, as well as more innovation and growth.”

Shortlisted Businesses

‘EO Transition of the Year’

Shortlisted:

1. Aspect – strategic communication consultancy based in Scotland.
2. Blue Flame – heating, renewable and electrical business based in Cornwall
3. Ignis – consumer/B2B comms and marketing agency based in London
4. Wildfire PR – PR and Tech PR agency based in London.

‘EO Rising Star of the Year’

Shortlisted:

1. JP Hildreth – Consultants in engineering projects for manufacturing excellence, Chesham
2. NEL technologies – Specialist in Flexible Heaters and Thermal Management Solutions, Newcastle
3. Nikwax – High performance outdoor wear solutions, Wadhurst, East Sussex
4. Principle Cleaning – Commercial Cleaning of landmark properties, London
5. Sewell Group – estates, Investment, construction, consultancy, data and facilities, based in Hull
6. Solarsense – solar panels and other renewable technologies, based in Clevedon

‘EO Business of the Year’

Shortlisted:

1. Answer Digital – digital consultancy, based in Leeds
2. Gripple – manufacturer of wire tensioning, based in Sheffield
3. Ison Harrison – Solicitors, Leeds
4. Quintessa – technical and strategic consultancy, Warrington
5. Riverford Organics – arming and food distribution, Devon
6. Shaw Healthcare, care provider across the UK, Cardiff

‘Employee Owner of the Year’

Shortlisted:

1. Tracey Calderwood of 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan
2. Harvey Hancock of Gripple
3. Matrix Booking – Jade Loftus
4. Riverford – Ed Scott
5. Seetec – Ann-Marie Conway

The judging panel is made up of James de le Vingne, Chief Executive of the eoa, Martin Camp of awards sponsor Howden, and eoa Membership Council representatives Ruth Barker of Purcell and Antonio Wendral of This is Novos.

The awards will also see the presentation of the ‘Philip Baxendale Fellow Award’ – presented by Baxendale in the name of their founder and the originators of the UK EO Awards.

Winners will be revealed at a gala dinner celebration on Tuesday November 26 at the Telford International Centre as part of the eoa Annual Conference.