Every year, we convene the EO sector to honour the memory of eoa founder, Robert Oakeshott. As well as paying respects, it’s a future-looking forum, where we look at big opportunities for employee ownership.
This year, the free-to-attend Robert Oakeshott Lecture (ROL) is asking if it’s possible to organise an economy with EO at its heart?
What’s the Lecture About?
This year, the ROL will tackle the big ‘why’ question about the relevance of employee ownership for society and democracies.
It will argue that, utilising different levels of EO, it’s entirely possible in close-held corporations and large listed corporations – on top of the strong SME base that makes up the majority of the EO sector.
The lecture will examine research showing how this shift can take place with a detailed discussion of what public policy needs to do to accomplish a broad-based EO economy in the near future.
Who’s the Speaker?
For over a decade, the ROL has attracted some incredible speakers. This year, we’re delighted to welcome US economic sociologist and Harvard alum, Joseph R. Blasi.
Joseph is a J. Robert Beyster Distinguished Professor and Director Emeritus, Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations.
Moreover, he's a visiting Fellow for Kellogg College, Oxford University, and a Fellow of The Aspen Institute.
Joseph is also the author of The Citizen's Share and is a former advisor to the U.S. Department of Treasure on employee share ownership.
“It’s been a long-held belief that employee ownership provides a means to share ownership among an entire group of employees and offer an alternative succession option to outgoing owner-founders,” he said.
“Now, however, research has made this absolutely clear alongside undeniable evidence that employee ownership can be quickly implemented, not only in small and medium-sized businesses, but also in listed corporations, to address wealth insecurity and inequality.”
When & Where?
The lecture takes place at Bayes Business School in London on Monday 1 September from 13:30 to 16:30.
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot now by clicking or tapping here.
The Robert Oakeshott Lecture 2025 is proudly sponsored by Arup.