Open: An Employee Owned Company

All of Open’s shares are now owned by an Employee Ownership Trust that exists to benefit the team and secure the long term future of the company. And every single person who works here is now an Employee Owner who has a say in the long term direction of Open. 

We’re confident that this move is going to be great for our owners (46 of them and counting) as well as our clients and the long term security of the business.

And it’s also a great opportunity to think about what it is we all do and what we’re going to do in the months and years to come. 

For our founders James and Tim, it means hanging up their shareholder hats and becoming employees with (for the first time ever) proper job descriptions. Tim will continue to lead Open as CEO and make employee ownership an integral part of the business. And James will be heading up our innovation function to deliver new products, new insight, new approaches and, ultimately, new supporters and revenue streams for the sector.

It’s an exciting time for all of us. But, as has always been the case, it’s not just about the people inside the business. 

We’re called Open for a reason and so much of what we’ve achieved in our sixteen years is down to the fact that we collaborate with people outside our organisation – whether they be clients, partners, other agencies or individuals. So as well as looking inwards, we’ll continue to reach out.

That means more access programmes, internships and jobs for young people who might not otherwise end up in our sector. More benchmarking, webinars and generally sharing our skills. And more great ideas on TV, online, on the streets and in the post.

It’s an exciting time and we’re always looking for new people, projects and organisations to be part of the story. So please, get in touch and say hello.

Who knows, you could end up as an owner.