It’s officially been a year since I became an employee trustee at I-COM, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what that’s been like - what I’ve learnt, what’s surprised me, and how it’s changed the way I see both myself and the business.
Stepping into the Unknown
Last year, we had a company-wide workshop that reignited I-COM’s focus on employee ownership. During that meeting, the trust board mentioned they were looking for another employee trustee. It wasn’t something I’d ever pictured myself doing, but because I’ve always been heavily involved in the social side of I-COM - organising activities, bringing people together, and trying to keep our culture thriving - it felt like a natural next step.
We held a proper election campaign, and I stood against some really great people. When I won the vote, I felt genuinely honoured to be chosen as I-COM’s newest trust representative. At the same time, I was nervous. It was something completely new to me, but I felt proud to represent my colleagues and ready to get stuck in.
Taking on the Trustee Role
Explaining the role of a trustee to someone outside the company can be tricky, but in simple terms, I help make sure employees’ voices are heard. The EO Trust owns 51% of I-COM, so it’s our job to make sure the people who make the business what it is have a real say in its direction.
Each month, I run a drop-in session so anyone can come to me with feedback, ideas, or questions about employee ownership. The trust board also meets monthly to discuss everything EO-related - from governance and financial updates to engagement activities. No two months look the same, which definitely keeps things interesting!
Earlier this year, a big focus was on planning for EO Day 2025. That took a lot of work behind the scenes, but it was great to see our efforts come together on the day. I also make sure we have plenty of EO resources available to everyone and stay connected with the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) - the EOA has a really useful hub which allows us to connect with other EO businesses up and down the country. When a new starter passes their probation, they are welcomed into the trust by me and my fellow trustee, Kate Smith. It’s a great way to introduce our new employee owners to the concept of employee ownership, and it’s an honour to be able to get them excited about what’s to come!
Right now, we’re looking forward to the event we’re hosting with Still We Grow in November - a chance for North West EO businesses to meet and share ideas. This will be the first in a series of North West EO meet-ups that we will be hosting. We have seen firsthand how important it is to have a good strong support network of fellow EO businesses to bounce ideas off and help inspire each other, so it’s something we’re passionate about creating a space for in Manchester.
Learning the Ropes
When I first started, I’ll admit I didn’t have much background knowledge about finance or governance. I came into the role from a content and email marketing perspective, so the technical side of things was new territory. But that actually worked in my favour. Starting from scratch helped me approach the information with a beginner’s mindset, which meant I could explain things more simply to others who might also be trying to get their heads around it.
Over the past year, I’ve learnt a huge amount about how the trust operates, how the business’s structure works, and how the trustees support the board and the wider team. The more I’ve learnt, the more I’ve seen how central employee ownership is to the way I-COM runs - not just as a concept, but as something that shapes everyday decisions.
Before I joined the trust, I think I understood employee ownership in theory. Now I can see the tangible benefits it brings: the openness, the collaboration, and the sense of shared accountability. It’s changed how I think about I-COM and what it means to be part of an employee-owned company.
Personal Growth and Perspective
Becoming a trustee has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It’s made me think in a much more commercially minded way, and it’s encouraged me to see myself as a true employee owner rather than just someone who works at I-COM.
I’ve also found it’s made me more grounded and focused. I’ve always considered myself approachable, but this role has strengthened that side of me. People now come to me with questions or feedback knowing I can take it forward on their behalf.
Professionally, it’s expanded my skills in ways I didn’t expect. Writing about governance and business structure has been a new experience that’s helped me grow as a content writer. Organising events like EO Day and our upcoming networking sessions has also built my confidence in project management and communication.
Perhaps most importantly, I’ve gained a stronger belief in my own judgement. I back my decisions more confidently now, and I know that my colleagues voted me in because they trust me to represent them. That sense of trust motivates me every day to do my best in the role.
A Stronger Sense of Connection
This year has also given me a better understanding of what motivates my colleagues. I’m much more aware of how every decision we make can affect the wider business – whether that’s financially, culturally, or in the way we work together.
There’s been a noticeable shift in how much attention we all give to employee ownership compared to a year ago. It feels embedded in how we think and talk as a team, which makes me proud of the progress we’ve made. The conversations we’re having now are more open, constructive, and forward-thinking than ever.
Looking Ahead
As I head into my second year as a trustee, I’m excited to see how much more we can achieve. I’d love for EO Day 2026 to be even bigger and better than this year’s, and for our next survey results to show even more engagement from the team. It would be brilliant to see I-COM shortlisted for the EOA Awards one day too (fingers crossed for this year!)
Beyond that, I want to help build stronger connections with other EO businesses in our region through the events we’re hosting. Every conversation we have with another employee-owned organisation teaches us something new about what’s possible.
If I had one piece of advice for anyone thinking about becoming a trustee, it would be this: just go for it. You won’t know everything on day one, and that’s OK. The role is about learning as you go, being adaptable, and doing what’s best for your colleagues and your company. Your team has trusted you to represent them - your job is to prove them right.
