Coda | Marketing for Industry Shortlisted for ‘Employee Owned Transition of the Year’ in the UK Employee Ownership Awards 2025
Poole-based global industrial marketing agency Coda has been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Employee Owned Transition of the Year’ award at the UK Employee Ownership Awards.
The awards celebrate the achievements of businesses that truly deliver people power. They recognise businesses and individuals who drive effective EO practices and empower employee owners to unlock Great EO impacts.
The UK Employee Ownership Awards are sponsored by Baxendale Employee Ownership, an eoa Specialist Advisor who help owners and founders transition their businesses into EO and support businesses at all stages of EO.
Coda became employee owned in December 2024, marking the culmination of an 18-month transition that began in July 2023. The agency moved to a 100% Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model, with founder Chris Lawrenson selling his entire shareholding to the newly formed trust.
Under the EOT structure, the team are the collective beneficiaries, represented through a formal governance framework comprising an Independent Trustee, an Employee Representative (Team Voice Lead), and the CEO. This ensures that employee voice and business performance remain central to Coda’s future.
‘EO Transition of the Year’ recognises a shining example of successful EO transition for businesses that became employee owned between 1 September 2024 and 1 September 2025, demonstrating strong leadership and a thoughtful approach to EO that sets the foundations for employee voice and long-term impact.
“The calibre of applications show the remarkable accomplishments of employee owned businesses at various stages of EO from regions and industries across the UK.
These proudly employee owned businesses are leading the way in developing Great EO practices, delivering increased employee wellbeing and business performance, and contributing to People Powered Growth in the UK.”
“We are delighted to return as sponsor for the UK Employee Ownership Awards, which began in their current form in 2015, celebrating EO pioneers and EO excellence rooted in the legacy of our founder Philip Baxendale.
Over the last decade, Baxendale Employee Ownership has been at the forefront of supporting the EO sector grow in scale, pace, and impact along with elevating the awards to an exceptional showcase of Great EO practices that drive greater productivity and growth. We cannot wait to celebrate with the amazing businesses and employee owners synonymous with this thriving sector.”
“Becoming employee owned wasn’t just a change in structure – it was a commitment to a new way of thinking about success, collective responsibility and shared reward. I believe that EO is a model that puts ethics and sustainability at the heart of business, and our transition has already unlocked a deeper sense of purpose, pride and performance across the team. To be recognised alongside other businesses making a positive impact through employee ownership is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
Winners will be revealed on Tuesday 25 November 2025 at the Telford International Centre as part of the eoa Annual Conference.
