Our First Year as an EOT: Reflecting and Celebrating
This June, the People 1st team came together to mark a very special milestone — one year as an Employee Ownership Trust!
Held at the Dunsilly Hotel, our anniversary celebration brought together team members from across our branches and head office to celebrate an incredible first year, reflect on what we’ve achieved, and look ahead to what’s next.
The day was packed with energy, positivity and genuine pride — a celebration of how far we’ve come since making the move to employee ownership.
Events from the Employee Ownership Celebration day!
- A review of our first year as an EOT showcased not only our strongest year in business to date — but also the fantastic achievements and collective spirit that has grown across the organisation.
- We were delighted to welcome Aidan O’Neill and Catherine Muldoon from Employee Ownership Ireland (EOI), who hosted a brilliant Q&A alongside our own Director Ronan Heenan — sharing insights, answering questions, and inspiring us all for the future of employee ownership in Northern Ireland.
- A highlight of the day was the introduction of our Charity of the Year — Alzheimer’s Society — a cause close to many hearts across our team.
- Guest speaker Ciaran May of Natural Resilience gave an inspiring session on maintaining mental strength and positivity — a timely and motivating message that resonated with everyone.
- And of course, there was plenty of fun! From quizzes and spot prizes to icebreakers and team activities, the energy in the room reflected the unique People 1st spirit that has helped drive us through this fantastic year.
What a successful celebration
A huge thank you to everyone who made the day such a success — and to our hosts at the Dunsilly Hotel for looking after us so well!
What Employee Ownership Means for People 1st
Our transition to employee ownership is far more than a structural change — it’s a commitment to our people and to the communities we serve.
As an EOT, we have secured the future of People 1st as a dynamic and sustainable organisation that will continue to serve Northern Ireland for years to come.
This model ensures that:
- Every team member shares in the company’s success
- Jobs are protected and rooted in the local community
- We invest in long-term growth, not short-term gain
- A culture of collaboration and innovation is encouraged
- Employees feel empowered, valued and invested in our shared mission
Already, the EOT model has helped transform how we work — with greater collaboration, job satisfaction, and ownership across the business.
Looking Ahead — Our Second Year as an Employee Ownership Trust
As we head into our second year as an EOT, we do so with real momentum and pride. We’ve just completed our most successful business year yet — and with our team driving that success, we are excited for what’s next.
From our Belfast head office to our growing network of branches across Northern Ireland and Donegal, People 1st remains as committed as ever to our mission:
- ✅ Empowering individuals with training, skills and confidence
- ✅ Supporting businesses with professional development and apprenticeships
- ✅ Making a positive impact in communities across Northern Ireland
We are incredibly proud of our team — and of what we’ve achieved in this first year of employee ownership. Here’s to building an even brighter future — together. 💙
Employee Ownership Ireland
To learn more about Employee Ownership Trusts and the benefits of employee ownership, visit https://employeeownershipireland.com/. Employee Ownership Ireland runs a fantastic programme of events and workshops to inform and educate businesses, and they offer invaluable advice and support to organisations considering the transition to employee ownership.
You can also read more about our journey here: https://people-1st.co.uk/employee-ownership-trust-people-1st-embarks-on-exciting-new-ownership-structure/
Filed under: Employee Ownership | EOT News | People 1st NI | Company Updates | Community Impact
