You may have noticed things have been a little quieter from us lately. That’s because we’ve been working behind the scenes to sharpen our focus - and we’re nearly ready to unveil a redesigned EO Sector content hub with a clear mission: help more business owners discover employee ownership by design, not by chance. HMRC’s latest research highlights the urgency - most still discover employee ownership by chance, not design. We're committed to changing that.

We believe by addressing this awareness gap head-on, we can define our value to the community much more clearly while serving a pressing need. Over the next week, we'll be finalising a complete website redesign and content plan - expect to see a much sharper, more structured, and easier-to-navigate content hub that reflects this focused mission. As we finalise our strategy and new platform, we’d love your input: What content would help you (or your clients) better understand EO as a real succession option?😊

Employee ownership platform Valloop has appointed Dr Margaret Casely-Hayford CBE as its new Ambassador for employee ownership, bringing decades of business leadership and ethical governance expertise to advance the movement.

Margaret is a leading figure in UK business, law and public life who has long championed inclusive leadership, ethical business practices, and systemic change. Her distinguished career spans senior roles at global law firm Dentons and the John Lewis Partnership - a pioneer and champion of employee ownership in the UK - alongside leadership positions across charity, education and arts sectors.

Her board experience includes serving as Chair of Shakespeare's Globe (2018-2024) and ActionAid UK, Chancellor of Coventry University (2017-2024), and Non-Executive Director at the Department for Education. She was also a longstanding non-executive member of the Co-op Group Board until recently.

Awarded a CBE in 2018 for services to charity and equality, Margaret brings deep expertise in governance, diversity and values-driven strategy. She has spent decades involved in commerce both as adviser and operator while simultaneously championing individual rights and promoting business ethics, viewing these elements as complementary and essential for sustainable commercial growth.

At Valloop, Margaret will shape conversations about fairer business transitions, supporting the platform's mission to create employee-owners and build a more inclusive economy. Her appointment comes as Valloop scales its ambitious goals following a major partnership with Guy Carpenter, Marsh McLennan's risk and reinsurance specialist, which unlocked up to £39 billion in surety-backed capital from a consortium of reinsurers.

The initiative aims to help one million employees across 20,000 companies acquire ownership by 2030, spanning the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, and Australia. The platform offers what CEO Stephen Greenwood calls an end to "exclusive ownership and soulless business acquisitions," instead providing SME owners with expert guidance, business funding, and digital infrastructure to transfer ownership to employees.

By removing traditional barriers like high upfront fees and limited buyer options, Valloop promises smooth, low-friction exits while preserving company values and keeping businesses as resilient pillars of their communities.

P.S. For more EO updates between newsletters, be sure to check out EOSector.com.