Partnership, Purpose and Productivity

The nature of work and employment is changing rapidly. In the face of an uncertain economic future, what steps do we need to take, and what new models do we need to build in order to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to engage in work that has meaning and value?

Stephen Bampfylde was delighted to join Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chairman, John Lewis Partnership, and Sacha Romanovitch, CEO, Grant Thornton UK LLP, on a panel chaired by Matthew Taylor at the RSA this week.

Over the course of the evening, the panel explored the rise of employee ownership and its potential to offer a more stable, sustainable and inclusive form of productivity and prosperity. The discussion ranged across themes of employee engagement, organisational culture and the evolving role and expectation of leaders at the helm of these new models. Questions explored the importance of mission and purpose for the millennial generation; the impact and rate of change that technology continues to impose on the work forces across many sectors; and the continued need for leaders to horizon scan and plan for the future where possible.

There was clear consensus that new business models, such as employee ownership, provide leaders with an opportunity to encourage innovation and increased productivity within their work forces.