30/04/2026
On Monday at Lots Road Auctions, we hosted our quarterly meet-up of employee-owned creative businesses, and it was one of those sessions that reminds you why this community matters so much.
We were lucky to be joined by Ann Tyler, our fabulous independent trustee and one of the most experienced voices in the EO space, who shared her perspective on the questions and challenges we’re all navigating in our own businesses.
What always stands out in these sessions is how open people are - sharing not just what’s working, but where things are messy, unclear or still evolving. That honesty is where the real value is.
A few takeaways that really stuck with us:
• There’s no single “right” model - every EO business has to find its own way and adapt over time
• Governance and communication are still the hardest things to get right (and need constant attention)
• Engagement doesn’t happen overnight - it’s uneven, and that’s okay. The key is to keep trying
• Managing expectations early (especially around financial outcomes) is absolutely critical
We are incredibly grateful for this group - it’s played a big part in shaping how we think about EO and how we continue to evolve.
Huge thanks to Ann Tyler for sharing your insight, and to everyone who came along and contributed so openly:
Angela McDermott, Nick Carter, Paulina Gallant, Winch Design, Anna Allan, Zoë Burke, Porta Romana| B Corp™, George Foden, Yasmin Ghosh-Roy, Wise Productions, Larissa Joy OBE, Hawkins\Brown, Richard Battye, Nicholas de Klerk, Purcell, Gavin Lloyd, Hayes Davidson
And of course to Kirsten Hill for bringing the group together in the first place.
If you’re part of a creative, employee-owned business in or around London and are curious about joining, feel free to drop us a message, we'd love to hear from you!
