A blog by Helena Cameron – Associate Director and Industrial Disease Solicitor
Helena Cameron, our Industrial Disease Solicitor has been an Associate Director since 2010 and is part of our interim management board. Here she shares what the firm’s move to employee ownership means to her.
What struck me about Oliver & Co becoming employee owned was how much the employee ownership ethos fits with the way we do things here. Employee owned businesses put their employees at the heart of the business and at Oliver & Co we have always worked hard to treat colleagues fairly and to listen to their ideas. We have a great foundation for employee ownership and I can’t wait to see how the business develops over the next few months and years.
For me personally, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead. I’ve worked here for 16 years and I’ve always been encouraged to push myself and explore new opportunities. As I’ve progressed in my career since qualifying as a solicitor in 2004, I have become more interested in the business side of the firm and I enjoy combining that with my client work. I’m currently part of a group of colleagues going through leadership training and, now that we are employee owned, it is fascinating to think about leadership in that context.
I feel like we’re in a great position to make the most of the opportunities that employee ownership gives us. Profits depend on generating income, but also on keeping an eye on costs, and employee ownership will incentivise everyone to play their part in this.
Being open about our finances internally, and very clear about our progress towards targets will help everyone who works here to understand the part they can play in our success. And more than that, it pulls everyone together behind a common purpose.
Employee ownership is definitely an evolution – rather than a revolution – at Oliver & Co as it fits so well with our approach. I’ve got no doubt that it is exactly the right move for us and will help our business – and everyone who works here – to flourish.
