Another year has rolled around, and it’s once again time to celebrate Employee Ownership Day! It’s such an exciting occasion to recognize the global movement towards employee ownership and to inspire businesses to share their achievements through this unique model. Employee ownership is not just about profits—it’s about people coming together to build something truly special.
Employee ownership comes in several forms, whether it’s a decision made right at the start or later down the road as a business grows. At Kite Packaging, we’ve always believed in putting our employees at the heart of everything we do. Back in 2001, our Chairman Bruce McInnes and the founding partners established Kite as an employee-owned company because they wanted to create a place where employees could thrive alongside the business. Their vision was simple yet powerful: if employees feel like owners, they’ll act like owners too.
We’re proud to be what’s called a “direct†employee-owned business. This means that our team members—our employee partners—are the primary stakeholders in Kite. Our ownership structure allows us to make decisions directly from the frontline, ensuring that every move we make benefits both the business and those who work within it. There’s no bureaucracy or external shareholders holding us back; instead, we’re free to innovate and adapt quickly to challenges.
On the flip side, there’s also “indirect†employee ownership, where shares are held in trust or similar structures on behalf of employees. John Lewis is perhaps the most famous example of this model, with their employee partners benefiting from the trust that holds their shares. Some businesses even combine the two approaches, giving individuals direct stakes while maintaining collective ownership through trusts.
So, why does employee ownership matter? For starters, it fosters innovation. At Kite, we encourage every single person to think critically about how they can contribute to the company’s growth. Since we don’t have to wait for approval from a board or outside investors, we can implement ideas almost instantly. That kind of agility makes all the difference when it comes to staying ahead in today’s fast-paced market.
Then there’s commitment. When employees are invested—not just financially but emotionally—in the success of the business, retention rates soar. At Kite, many of our team members have been with us since day one. They know that their hard work pays off because they’re directly connected to the company’s achievements. It creates a sense of pride and purpose that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Sustainability is another huge benefit of employee ownership. Unlike traditional models where decisions might be dictated solely by profit margins, employee-owned businesses prioritize long-term success. Our staff understand the daily operations inside out, which means they’re uniquely positioned to suggest improvements that will keep Kite thriving well into the future.
Lastly, there’s the undeniable boost in motivation. Knowing that your efforts directly impact the bottom line—and ultimately your own wallet—creates a strong incentive to excel. At Kite, work feels less like a job and more like a shared mission. Everyone is rowing in the same direction, eager to see the business succeed.
Since our humble beginnings in 2001, Kite has grown significantly. From just a few passionate founders, we’ve expanded to over 200 employees and achieved annual turnovers exceeding £40 million. Along the way, we’ve picked up numerous accolades, including recognition from The London Stock Exchange Group as one of the “Top 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain†in 2016. It’s humbling to look back and realize just how far we’ve come thanks to our incredible team.
To all those who’ve supported Kite and embraced our philosophy of employee ownership, thank you. Here’s to another fantastic year ahead!
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Biodegradable Mailing Bags,Biodegradable Shipping Bags,Compostable Shipping Bags ,Biodegradable Postage Bags Shaoxing Greenstar New Material Co.,Ltd , https://www.greenstarpackage.comCelebrating Employee Ownership Day at Kite Packaging
We are celebrating Employee-Ownership day
By Jake Kirk
• Friday 1st July 2016