Written by Barry Horner
When I was exploring the transition to employee ownership back in 2019, the journey often felt like navigating uncharted waters. You can read the technical handbooks, consult with tax advisers, and map out legal structures, but none of those tell you how it actually feels to hand over the reins of a company you have poured your life into.
Back then, what I needed most was a room full of people who had walked the path ahead of me, founders who could speak openly about the emotional realities, the shifts in leadership, and the genuine practical challenges of letting go.
It turns out I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. Peers like Guy Singh-Watson (founder of Riverford) and Simon Morton (founder of Eyeful Presentations) shared remarkably similar challenges when navigating their own paths to employee ownership. Together, we will be using our collective experiences to help those currently looking at EO navigate the very real obstacles, choices, and mindset shifts involved.
That is exactly why the Southwest Employee Ownership Conference on 15th October at Winslade Park, Exeter, matters so much to me.
Having founded and led Paradigm Norton for over two decades, transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) was one of the most rewarding decisions of my career, but stepping down as CEO and stepping back as a founder brings a whole set of unique dynamics.
In my session, “Take it from a former owner, this is how it is going to feel,” I will be sharing the unvarnished reality of that transition.
- Moving from decision-maker to strategic benefactor. How to make peace with stepping back while trusting co-owners to lead.
- Beyond the “brochure version” of EO. The genuine emotional curve of letting go and seeing the business thrive beyond you.
- Fostering a true ownership mindset. Practical ways to build deep, authentic trust across the entire team so employees truly think like owners.
Whether you are already employee-owned or currently standing where I was in 2019 and exploring options, weighing up challenges, and wondering what the reality looks like, this event was built for you.
Join us in Exeter on 15th October to connect with regional leaders, share experiences, and get real insight into the EO journey.
Event Details
South West Employee Ownership Conference 2026
Date: Thursday 15 October 2026
Time: 10:00am–18:00pm
Venue: Winslade Manor, Winslade Park, Manor Drive, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1FY
Tickets: £30 per person
Organisers: Paradigm Norton, Stephens Scown, & The Peloton
Book tickets through Ticket Tailor.
The views expressed are personal reflections based on Paradigm Norton’s experience of transitioning to employee ownership. They are intended for general information and discussion purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, tax, financial, business or other professional advice. Businesses considering employee ownership should seek appropriate professional advice based on their own circumstances.