Barry is joined by Rob Haward, Riverford CEO, for a practical conversation that links employee ownership with the realities of running a large, values-led organisation, including what has to change in leadership, communication, and culture for EO to actually “work” day-to-day.
Riverford’s transition is discussed in the context of protecting purpose long-term (and avoiding the business ending up “in the wrong hands”), while still staying commercially sharp and operationally disciplined.
What’s covered in this episode:
- Rob’s route into food and farming, and how those early experiences shaped his values and leadership.
- The why behind the move to employee ownership, including legacy, purpose protection, and long-term stewardship.
- How Riverford approached the transition, including exploring other ownership models before landing on an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
- The importance of over-communication, engaging people early, and tackling misconceptions head-on.
- Governance in practice: Riverford’s democratically elected co-owner council, how it gathers input, and how agendas are shaped.
- Making EO real beyond the legal structure: listening culture, closing the loop, and building systems that encourage an “owner mindset”.
- The tension points: decision speed, risk aversion, information flow, and why middle management can be either the blocker or the unlock.
Moments to listen out for
- The long-running internal conversations about ownership (including a memorable board meeting setting).
- “The Founder’s Wishes” and why documenting purpose and values matters more than most founders realise.
- Riverford’s continuous improvement approach: “Improve Tomorrow Together (ITT)”, built on lean thinking and designed to turn motivation into action.
Quickfire highlights
- Rob’s take: employee ownership as a “much needed” model that can balance society, planet, and commercial success.
- Biggest EO surprise: how well the founder handled selling the business while staying positively engaged.
- Book mention: Turn the Ship Around (as an accessible leadership read relevant to empowerment and engagement).
If you’re a business owner exploring employee ownership, this episode gives you a clear view of the operational and leadership work that sits behind the headline benefits, without pretending it’s effortless.
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The following podcast is intended to be of a general nature, will not be suitable for everyone, and should not be treated as a specific recommendation. We recommend taking professional advice before entering into any obligation or transaction.