Judges in the 2018 Employee Ownership Association (EOA) Award Scheme chose Gripple, the globally successful manufacturer of the iconic wire joiner and company of Connect Yorkshire EIR Hugh Facey, to receive its inaugural culture award and awarded its chairman with the Philip Baxendale Fellowship Award.
The awards, managed by the EOA, and sponsored by leading EOA member Baxendale, recognise the performance of employee-owned businesses which typically excel when it comes to productivity, innovation, employee voice and culture – driven by teams and individuals.
The first ever Employee Ownership Culture Award went to Gripple as an employee-owned business with a clearly defined spirit and unique DNA, which has developed an ownership culture where employees feel a substantial, personal stake in the business’s performance.
One of the judges Nicola Ryan, head of people’s services for Rowlinson Knitwear, said: “Gripple is an excellent example of a direct employee-ownership model working in practice, with lots of internal measures and positive communication of business aims and successes with a clear impact on the individual’s ability to make a positive contribution.”
The Philip Baxendale Fellowship Award goes to an individual who has in the past made, or is currently making, an outstanding contribution to the growth of employee ownership in the UK.
Hugh has been an active and vocal member of the EOA Board, supporting the EOA team in many of its activities and a constant source of encouragement and undoubtedly the sector has experienced huge benefits because of his personal investment.
Ed Stubbs, Gripple managing director, said: “It’s a significant accolade of which we are extremely proud. We like to think that we are exceptional with our values and spirit in developing our people, which has led to huge growth within the business. We hope that more companies will follow the employee-ownership ‘road’ to increase their contribution to the UK economy.
“We are also delighted that Hugh has received this significant award which he richly deserves due to his unmitigated dedication to promoting the employee-ownership cause.”
