Featured Podcast: John Hoffmire on Employee Ownership and the Future of Business
Listen here: ECOH – John Hoffmire – 3 September 2025.mp3
We are pleased to share a thought-provoking conversation with John Hoffmire, Director of the Center on Business and Poverty and co-creator of the Oxford Symposium on Employee Ownership.
In this episode, hosts Pete and
The 2025 Oxford Symposium on Employee Ownership brought together international leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to explore and advance models of shared equity and participatory capitalism. Held annually, this prestigious event is a focal point for the global employee ownership movement, offering a forum to address regulatory, financial, and cultural barriers to expanding Employee Stock
Slovenia has taken a major step toward promoting shared prosperity and long-term economic
resilience by introducing legislation that incorporates core elements of the Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (ESOP) model into its legal system. The Vlada Republike Slovenije (Government
of the Republic of Slovenia) recently approved the draft of the Employee Ownership
Cooperative Act, establishing a formal, systemic framework that
Held in Madrid this June, the International Summit on Alleviating Global Poverty brought together heads of state, business leaders, economists, development experts, and civil society advocates from over 70 countries. While past summits have often focused heavily on governmental and nonprofit solutions, this year’s event took a bold turn by emphasizing the transformative
As India’s economy matures and income inequality is changing, there is growing interest in
business models that promote inclusive growth and shared prosperity. Among these, employee-
owned companies offer a compelling vision for the future. While India has seen widespread
adoption of Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs) in the startup and tech sectors, significantly
employee-owned companies—where workers hold more
Amul Milk, one of India’s most iconic dairy brands, has become a household name synonymous with quality and reliability. Founded in 1946 in the town of Anand in Gujarat, Amul was created as a response to the exploitation of farmers by middlemen. Spearheaded by Tribhuvandas Patel and later driven by the visionary leadership of Dr.
In many parts of the world, the word ESOP carries different connotations and serves distinct purposes. In the United States, ESOPs are typically integrated into the retirement benefits system, regulated under laws like ERISA, and are designed to build long-term wealth as part of an overall retirement strategy. By contrast, Indian ESOPs are structured much
Dear Public Officials, Leaders of Employee Ownership Organizations, and Friends:
I am John Hoffmire, one of the founders of this symposium, and am going to speak for about 25 minutes about Philosophy and Employee Ownership. There will be time for questions and answers at the end of my talk, so please take out your phone or
John Hoffmire is Research Associate at the Centre for Mutual and Co-owned Business at University of Oxford’s Kellogg College. His main areas of expertise are employee ownership, impact investing, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial finance, crowdfunding, ownership, and wealth.
He is probably best known, presently, for helping to curate the Oxford Employee Ownership Symposium, in cooperation with The ESOP
In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, inclusive business models are emerging as a transformative force for addressing poverty, inequality, and systemic barriers to opportunity. Unlike traditional business strategies that prioritize profit above all, inclusive business models are designed to integrate low-income communities into the value chain as producers, employees, suppliers, and consumers. By doing so,
As you know, we have long celebrated the power and potential of employee ownership to transform businesses and communities. From enhancing productivity to fostering a sense of belonging and mutual success, the benefits are immense. Today, we want to invite you to be a part of an exciting new initiative: starting an informal network dedicated
In an era of increasing economic inequality and job insecurity, businesses play a pivotal role not just in creating profits but also in shaping the broader socio-economic landscape. While corporate philanthropy often garners attention for its efforts to alleviate poverty and support communities, businesses have a much greater opportunity to foster lasting change by directly
In today’s world, the battle against poverty is not solely in the hands of governments and nonprofits. An emerging trend shows that corporations, often seen as profit-driven entities, are increasingly playing a vital role in bridging the gap between the wealthy and the impoverished. Through innovative business models and creative solutions, companies are contributing to
As the global economy continues to expand, the wealth gap remains one of the most pressing issues, particularly in emerging markets like China and India. While businesses are often seen as engines of economic growth, the question arises: are they doing enough to close the widening wealth gap, or are they exacerbating it? While both
Employee stock ownership and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) have become a key component of corporate culture and economic participation in the United States. The concept traces its origins back to the early 20th century but gained significant momentum in the mid-1900s.
The first modern ESOP is credited to Louis O. Kelso, an investment banker and
Dr. John Hoffmire: It’s a pleasure to reconnect with you, Himadri. You have over a decade of experience in risk management and consulting, can you share how your journey in this field began and what motivated you to specialize in enterprise risk management?
Himadri Gangwar: Thank you for this opportunity, John. My journey in risk management
John Hoffmire: Shantanu, you started your career in the corporate world with prestigious organizations like Wipro, Mercedes-Benz, and Intergraph. What inspired you to leave this comfortable path and transition into the social sector and political analysis?
Shantanu Gupta: While my corporate career was rewarding, I always felt a deeper calling to contribute to society in a
Dr John Hoffmire: Prachi, it’s a pleasure to be back in touch and learn more about your work. You are the External Affairs & Communications Lead at Organon, a global healthcare company focused on improving the health of women. Tell me more about your role at Organon and how it aligns with your long standing
Dr. John Hoffmire: Hello Swagat. I’m delighted to have a chance to reconnect and learn more about what you are currently working on. You have had an interesting career that spans diverse and challenging roles, from District Collector of Kasaragod to Managing Director of Kerala Water Authority. I want to ask you what drives you
Dr. John Hoffmire: Hello Samina. It’s good to be back in touch and I’m honored to get to ask you some questions about your work. I’ll start as I usually do by asking what inspired you to leave a successful career in management consulting and dedicate yourself to social change in education?
Samina Bano: Thank you, John. You
