di:ga becomes an employee owned company

Yesterday something momentous happened in the history of di:ga. We became an employee owned company. It has been just over 13 years since I set di:ga up, from the front room of my friend’s house in Bristol. Since then we have worked for some amazing clients and individuals. Perhaps a highlight for me was working with Kofi Annan on the Africa Progress Panel reports.?

Now we have a team of 12 talented staff in London and a number of associates and collaborators around the world. And our clients are still amazing: this month alone we will launch reports for the 联合国粮农组织 , the Global Alliance for the Future of Food , Security Force Monitor, and Chatham House ; will run a training for Oil Change International ; and will help the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, the Clean Air Fund and others navigate the choppy waters of COP28.?

Moving into employee ownership - via an Employee Ownership Trust -? is an opportunity to give the people who work here more of a say in how the business evolves, and a share in its success. It aligns with our values, and sets us up for the future.?

I will stay on as Founder and CEO, remaining close to the client work and steering our strategy. Jon Date will step up to support the running of the business as Managing Director, while continuing to lead the Advocacy and Campaigns team, and Nicole Bator will become Head of Operations and Company Secretary. Cora Bauer and Ross Haig will become Directors.?

I am grateful to many who have supported us on this journey. The idea was born via coaching with Simon North; I read Chris Budd’s book, The Eternal Business; and I was inspired and encouraged by Tom Dyson and Olly Willans at Torchbox , who blazed this trail a while ago. Baxendale have been exceptional in taking us through the process.?

Most of all, I am grateful to the di:ga team who inspire such confidence and whose hard work, dedication and belief in what we do is central to our success. It is a privilege to call them colleagues - and now, co-owners!?

—Amy Barry, Founder and CEO