Meet our Employee Owner of the Year - Katy Ashcroft

Katy has been a member of the NSBRC team since 2018, and is our Content Marketing Manager, as well as being one of our Employee Ownership Reps.

She played a key role in highlighting the Centre's 10-year milestone as an employee-owned business and is now as big part of delivering our mission to help people achieve Better Sustainable Homes.

Employee ownership not only fosters a sense of pride and responsibility among employees but also creates a more engaged and motivated workforce.

The past eleven years, have indeed been filled with growth, innovation, and a shared sense of purpose, and as employee owners, each one of us has played a crucial role in the success of our visitor Centre. Each year, we select a member of our team to be recognised as our ‘Employee Owner of the Year’, reflecting on the hard work and achievements of an individual, and to inspire others to strive for excellence.

Thank you, Katy, for your remarkable contributions - and here’s to many more years of shared success on our EO journey!

After receiving this award, we asked Katy about her thoughts on the significance of employee ownership:

What does employee ownership mean to you?
Simply put, it’s having both a say and a stake in the company you work for. It means knowing that your contributions directly influence the success of the business - and that success is shared across the team.

What would you say is the most rewarding part of working for an employee-owned company?
We all feel genuinely valued, which drives high levels of engagement in all aspects of the business. There’s also a strong sense of mutual respect and shared purpose that’s not always easy to find elsewhere. I once heard a member of our team say ‘everyone here is worth their weight in gold’. It sums up the fact we’ve got a committed and active team who truly care - and that is noticed by others too.

In your experience, why is the culture different from a standard business?
The culture is more collaborative and people-focused. Decisions aren't just made from the top - everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas and take initiative. That fosters a real sense of belonging. I joined the team straight out of university (seven years ago now!), and I was new to the world of work. From day one, I have felt supported and cared for, especially in terms of my personal and professional development.

Do you think the way we communicate as a team is more transparent and open?
Definitely. There’s a strong emphasis on honesty and trust, whether it’s during board meetings (which I get to attend as an EO Representative) or our regular bi-monthly team catch-ups. Because we want everyone to have a clear understanding of things like our EO structure, business model, shares, and cross-departmental activities, communication naturally becomes more open and constructive.

Would you say that as an employee-owner your voice is heard and your opinions are valued?
Yes, absolutely. There are plenty of opportunities to speak with the management team or raise questions in meetings. While not every suggestion can be actioned, the fact that we’re genuinely listened to is important and empowering.

How did it feel to win the ‘Employee Owner of the Year’ award?
It felt fantastic! We have so many brilliant, hardworking people on our team, so it’s a real honour to have been chosen this year. It felt like such a personal win, and it reinforces that the hard work we all put into our mission is recognised and appreciated. It’s truly inspiring and motivates me to keep going.

You can find out more about the NSBRC's Employee Ownership Journey here.