British casting specialist and fine jewellery manufacturer Hockley Mint has appointed Helen Moreton to the role of Director Chair of the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Board, effective immediately.
In her role, Moreton will work alongside the Employee Ownership Trust Board to represent the best interests of all Hockley Mint staff. The current Trust Board comprises Managing Director Gary Wroe, and former owner Ian Merrell. An employee will also be appointed to the Board in due course to provide further staff representation at the decision-making level.
Helen Moreton says: “I am delighted to be appointed by Hockley Mint as the Director Chair of its newly formed Employee Ownership Trust. Working with organisations that genuinely care about their purpose and people is deeply important to me. It has been great to join the team right at the start of its Employee Ownership journey and to have been there on announcement day to witness the fantastic news being shared. I am excited to work with the new co-owners and leadership and to support them in shaping and developing their governance structures and ownership culture.”
Outside of Hockley Mint, Moreton is the Founder and Director of Boombox Consulting Limited. She has been an active part of the employee-owned sector for over 20 years in an operational and non-executive capacity. Her experience incorporates 18 years at John Lewis Partnership in a variety of independent and strategic roles, in addition to providing consultancy, coaching and support to employee-owned businesses.
She currently holds the roles of Chair of the Trust Board and Chair of the Co-Owner Council at Go Ape, Chair of the Co-owner Council at Riverford Organic Farmers, Chair of the Trust Board at Turley, and Independent Trustee at Lush, Architype and Espace.
Hockley Mint Managing Director, Gary Wroe, says: “I am thrilled to welcome Helen Moreton to the Trust Board. Her wealth of experience in employee-ownership business models will be invaluable as we navigate this new era of Hockley Mint. It is fantastic to kickstart 2023 with the framework in place to drive the EOT forward and create a fairer, healthier, and more resilient way of doing business.”
Hockley Mint announced it would become an Employee Ownership Trust in November 2022. By taking this route, controlling interest in Hockley Mint, which was previously owned by Ian Merrell, is now managed by an all-employee trust that exists for the benefit of staff.
The EOT will pay annual bonuses of up to £3,600 to employees free of income tax. This fiscal benefit is coupled with greater say over the running of the business, leading to improved employee retention, elevated staff morale, and reinforced engagement in the company and its culture. This transfer also ensures the long-term future of Hockley Mint and protects the business from third-party takeovers that could initiate vast transformation or restructuring.
Moreton adds: “As Hockley Mint’s Chair of the Trust Board, I will use my knowledge and experience, alongside my passion for Employee Ownership, to stimulate debate and inform decision-making for the benefit of the business and its beneficiaries.”
More information:
🌐 https://www.hockleymint.co.uk