Employee Ownership – A Better Way of Doing Business?

Sir Andy Street who guided John Lewis, Britain’s biggest employee owned business, to become our the country’s most trusted brand, will explore the role that its ownership structure played in its success. He’ll reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the model compared to conventional ownership.   

Sir Andy Street served as the first Mayor of the West Midlands from 2017 to 2024, helping to establish the West Midlands Combined Authority and oversee a huge influx of public and private investment into his home region. Prior to that he was Managing Director of John Lewis (having started his career there as a graduate trainee), guiding the employee-owned business to one of the most successful spells in its history – culminating in the department store chain being named the most trusted brand in Britain. He currently chairs Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and previously chaired the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership between 2011 and 2016. He has also served as the lead non-executive director for the Department for Communities and Local Government, as well as a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group. He was awarded a CBE in 2015 for services to economic growth, and was knighted in 2025 for services to public service. 

A Centre for Responsible Business Event