Employee Ownership Learning Journey

Two-day Employee Ownership Learning Journey across Edinburgh and the Lothians

Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) are hosting a free Learning Journey to employee- owned companies in Edinburgh and the Lothians. It will showcase examples of employee ownership in successful, growing businesses. The companies involved will share their experiences and give helpful pointers – including what has or hasn’t worked for them.

During this two-day trip you will meet representatives from:

• Aspect – strategic communication experts.
• Tepnel Pharma Services – pharmaceutical testing firm.
• i4 Product Design – product design consultancy.
• Jerba Campervans – campervan conversion specialists.
• Computer Application Services – software company.
• Edinburgh Designs – wave and tidal research facility designer and installer.

You will also take part in two workshops:

• A governance workshop delivered by Ewan Hall from Baxendale Employee Ownership.
• An employee engagement workshop delivered by John Housego from employee owned seafood processor Aquascot.

On the evening of 30 October, CDS will host a dinner with guest speaker Simon Fowler, Chair, Director and Non-Executive Director.

Benefits of our Learning Journey include:

• Increasing your knowledge and awareness of what successful employee ownership looks like in practice.
• Gaining knowledge and ideas that benefit you, your business and your clients.
• Building relationships with others in the employee ownership sector.

Event programme

Wednesday 30 October 2024

Day one:

• Meet and introductions at Mercure Livingston Hotel
• Travel to North Berwick to visit Jerba Campervans
• Presentation and tour at Jerba Campervans
• Presentation from Computer Application Services
• Governance Workshop by Ewan Hall, Baxendale Employee Ownership
• Travel to hotel for reflections and discussion and reflection on day one
• Private Dinner with guest speaker Simon Fowler, Chair and Non exec at many employee-owned businesses and ex John Lewis Partnership
• Overnight stay at hotel

Thursday 31 October 2024

Day two:

• Employee Engagement Workshop by John Housego, Aquascot at hotel
• Presentation from Edinburgh Designs at hotel
• Presentation from Aspect at hotel
• Travel to Livingston to visit Tepnel Pharma Services
• Presentation and tour at Tepnel Pharma Services
• Presentation from i4 Product Design
• Travel to hotel for day two reflections and wrap up session
• Travel home

*We will provide coach travel from the Mercure Livingston Hotel for participants, or you can arrange your own travel at your own cost.

This trip is open to:

• Scottish business owners considering employee ownership
• Leaders and employee owners within Scottish employee-owned businesses
• Advisors including lawyers, accountants, bankers, and business advisers with an interest in employee ownership

There will be a maximum of 30 participants.

Once you have booked your place on the Learning Journey, you will receive a confirmation email asking whether you require coach travel, and hotel accommodation.

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