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Date Published: Monday October 6th 2025

In This Podcast...

Richard Coulthard
Director & Head of Corporate
Ison Harrison Solicitors

Podcast Notes

Guest Bio:

James de le Vingne is CEO of the Employee Ownership Association, Director of Ownership at Work, and an Executive Fellow at Rutgers University. He has a background in international development and sits on multiple government advisory groups.

employeeownership.co.uk

Host Bio:

Richard Coulthard is Director and Head of Commercial at Ison Harrison Limited, where he leads the Company Commercial department. With a strong background in business law and strategic advisory, Richard is passionate about helping organisations navigate growth, governance, and succession planning.

Isonharrison.co.uk

We’re excited to be attending the EOA Annual Conference at the Telford International Centre 25–26 November. As the UK’s flagship event for employee ownership, and the largest of its kind in Europe, it’s a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. See you there!

Episode Summary:

Richard Coulthard and James de la Vingne explore the rise of employee ownership in the UK. They discuss the benefits of EO for founders, employees, and communities, backed by research and lived experience. The episode covers succession planning, tax incentives, cultural impact, and the future of EO both nationally and globally.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

  • [00:01] – James’s career journey: fine art to NGOs to EO
  • [00:03] – Origins of the Employee Ownership Association
  • [00:05] – What is employee ownership?
  • [00:07] – Flexibility and elegance of the EO model
  • [00:09] – Why founders choose EO over trade sales
  • [00:11] – Risks of traditional exit routes
  • [00:13] – EO as a solution to wealth inequality
  • [00:15] – Tax benefits of the EOT model
  • [00:16] – Cultural impact and long-term thinking
  • [00:18] – Independent research findings on EO performance
  • [00:20] – Employee satisfaction and training investment
  • [00:22] – Community impact and local job anchoring
  • [00:24] – EO as a productivity solution
  • [00:25] – Generational shifts in work values
  • [00:27] – EO as a recruitment advantage
  • [00:29] – The “Proudly EO” badge and sector identity
  • [00:31] – Challenges for EO adoption and leadership buy-in
  • [00:33] – EO in supply chains and procurement
  • [00:35] – Growth trajectory and market potential
  • [00:37] – Who EO is (and isn’t) right for

Resources Mentioned: