West Midlands Ownership Hub

The West Midlands Ownership Hub (WMHO) was a two‑year project to raise awareness of the benefits of co‑ops and employee ownership for creatives in the West Midlands. It worked with freelancers, new and existing business owners, local communities, advisors and policy makers in the creative and cultural industries. 

It was funded by Power to Change and delivered in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Co-operatives UK and the Employee Ownership Association. 

Overall, the Hub made a significant contribution to demystifying employee and worker ownership within the creative industries, creating accessible entry points, and embedding the agenda within the region’s cultural and policy ecosystems. 

Its legacy lies not only in the organisations it directly supported but also in the lessons it offers for how to engage communities inclusively and build pathways into alternative business models. 

The launch - Be Part of It

The project was launched with the call to action ‘Be Part of It’ – a poem written and performed Birmingham’s renowned former Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi – and turned into an inspiring film in collaboration with organisations in the region that operate under a shared ownership model. 

Through its work, the West Midlands Ownership Hub created an eco-system of support accessible to a wide range of communities.  

WMHO staged awareness raising events, reaching out to local communities and introducing the power of co-operative and member-owned organisations to solve problems, create change and empower creatives to succeed.   

Dream Together workshops  

With a team of facilitators, the Hub staged Dream Together workshops to identify attendees’ goals, talents and strengths – and to explore turning those into creative co-operative businesses.  

• 34 events held​
• 381 individuals attended​
• 16 groups had Dream Together workshops or equivalent support sessions​
• 5 individuals/groups have been signposted to Co-ops West Midlands or Coventry and Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency
• 2 co-ops formed, one currently supported by the Business Support for Co-ops​ programme delivered by Co-operatives UK in partnership with The Co-operative Bank
• 16 business advisors trained  

InKongbator and Creative Caribbean Convention  

Awareness-raising events were held for members of the HongKonger and Caribbean communities in the region and were co-produced with those communities.  

• 16 HongKonger attendees
• 60 African Caribbean attendees
• 2 follow-up Dream Together Workshops
• 83% of attendees from both events were keen to learn more about co-ops after taking part
• Increased awareness and understanding of the power of co‑ops among both communities 

You can find out more about the Creative Caribbean Convention in this blog from Dr Gregory John Roberts who gave a keynote address at the event. 

About co-ops 

A co-op is a democratic business or organisation that’s controlled by the people closest to it, known as its members. Members of a co-op may be freelancers, employees, customers or those who use its services.  

This makes it different from other kinds of businesses which may be owned and controlled by one or two people, external investors or by shareholders. In a co-op in the creative industries, the creatives can own the organisation and be in control.  

If you are in the West Midlands and want a one-to-one conversation about co‑ops, or would like funded support in setting one up, contact Kathy Hopkin: [email protected].

Myth Busting – Co‑ops in the Creative Industries is a useful guide that was created as part of the West Midlands Ownership Hub programme to promote a greater understanding of what co‑operatives are, what they do, how they work and how they can help creatives thrive. 

About employee-owned businesses 

Employee ownership is when employees have a say and a stake in the company they work for. Ownership occurs in a variety of ways – from employees directly owning shares in the company, to having shares held on behalf of employees in an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). It’s an option worth considering for business owners who want to protect the culture of their business and reward their staff. 

To request an initial conversation about employee-ownership, contact the Employee Ownership Association: [email protected] 

 Evaluation of the West Midlands Ownership Hub 

The West Midlands Ownership Hub was evaluated by Fry Creative. Learnings about co-operative development and co‑creation with communities can be found in its report published in October 2025. Download and read the report here.