Employee Ownership in Action: Giving Our People a Voice at Myerson

As Myerson’s Employee Trustee, James Birch plays an important role in ensuring the interests of employees are represented through the Employee Ownership Trust. 

Explaining his role, James says: 

'As Employee Trustee, I represent Myerson's employees on the Board of Trustees. Working with the other trustees, my role is to provide oversight of the Myerson Board, helping to ensure the business is run effectively and responsibly while taking into account the interests of all employees. 

It is a position of responsibility because you are there to safeguard the business for the benefit of everyone, not just now, but for future generations too.’ 

A key part of that role is understanding what employees across the firm are thinking and feeling. That is where Myerson’s Employee Engagement Committee becomes so important. 

James explains: 

‘I co-chair the Employee Engagement Committee, which is made up of representatives from across the business, from different teams and at different levels. It is an important part of how I hear a wide range of voices and gauge the views of the employee body as a whole. 

It means that when I am in trustee meetings or speaking with the Board, I have a much clearer understanding of what matters to people across the firm.’ 

For James, becoming Employee Trustee has also offered a unique insight into the inner workings of the business. 

‘It has been a fantastic opportunity to understand how a successful business operates. I have really enjoyed working alongside experienced business leaders and being able to contribute my own perspective on what makes Myerson such a strong business and a great place to work. 

Being able to help safeguard that for the future is something I am very proud of.’ 

One recent initiative that has come directly from the committee is Myerson’s Tiny Triumphs programme, a recognition initiative designed to celebrate the everyday contributions colleagues make to support one another. 

Emma says: 

‘We recently launched Tiny Triumphs, which gives people the opportunity to recognise the small things their colleagues do to support each other and make Myerson a better place to work. 

These moments might seem small, but they have a huge impact on culture. Sharing them across the firm helps create an environment where people feel valued and appreciated.’ 

For James, employee ownership has also shaped wider business projects, from reviewing Myerson’s core values to contributing to the firm’s long-term vision. 

‘Since becoming an EOT, we have updated our core values to make sure they reflect who we are as a business today and the culture we want to preserve moving forward. 

That was a really valuable piece of work involving the trustees, the Board and the Employee Engagement Committee. 

I have also been involved in our ten-year vision planning, our bi-annual firm updates and our annual employee conference, all of which are important opportunities to communicate openly with the whole firm.’

Employee ownership is often spoken about in terms of business succession or governance, but at Myerson it is equally about culture, collaboration and shared accountability. 

Through strong trustee representation and active employee engagement, Myerson continues to build a workplace where people feel empowered, listened to and invested in the firm’s future. 

As Employee Ownership Day 2026 reminds us, the strongest businesses are often those where success is shared and every voice has the opportunity to shape what comes next.