We're shortlisted in the Employee Ownership Awards!

Sewell Group has been shortlisted for the prestigious Employee Owned Rising Star of the Year category in the UK Employee Ownership Awards.

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

The estates arm of Sewell Group became part-employee owned from January 2023, with company founder Paul Sewell moving 25% of the company’s shares into an employee ownership trust. The 300 people who work across the company are now Co-Owners, meaning they have a greater say in how the business is run and the potential to share in any company profits.

Since the business has become employee owned, there have been several improvements to both the way the business operates, and employee’s wellbeing, including the formation of a Co-Owner Council, sustainability initiatives, a new online resource library, a series of financial literacy training sessions for employees, and improved staff benefits, which includes a Co-Owner Profit Share bonus. The company was also named as one of the Sunday Times’ Best Companies To Work For in 2024.

The company recently released its first EO Annual Report, reflecting on its first year of employee ownership, which was put together by staff members from the Co-Owner Council.

The Employee Owned Rising Star of the Year award recognises the success of an organisation that has become employee owned on or after 1 July 2021 but is already demonstrating and evidencing an EO advantage through its approach to engagement, culture, and representation.

James de le Vingne, Chief Executive of the Employee Ownership Association, said:

“The calibre of applications shows the remarkable accomplishments of employee owned businesses at various stages of employee ownership 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.”

Winners will be revealed at a celebration on Tuesday November 26 as part of the EOA Annual Conference.