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Steward Ownership
Steward ownership offers an alternative to conventional ownership models. It ensures that companies remain independent and mission-driven – by enshrining two core principles in a legally binding way:
SELF-DETERMINATION
The company cannot become an object of speculation but remains self-determined and independent in the long term. The steering wheel always remains in the hands of people who are connected to the company and its mission.
PURPOSE-ORIENTATION
Profits are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. They serve the company’s mission and long-term development or can be used to fund charitable activities. The value created within the company cannot be extracted by the company owners for their personal benefit.
About
At the center of our work:
steward ownership – an alternative to conventional ownership models ensuring companies remain independent and mission-driven.
Since coining the term steward ownership in 2015, PURPOSE® exists to make steward ownership known and accessible to everyone. Working together in the PURPOSE® Group under one brand, with distinct focus areas and in separate, independent entities, we are united by one vision: to unlock the potential steward ownership holds for people, planet, and society.
It’s pretty revolutionary what you are doing. And that’s why I’m so excited about steward ownership.
It just doesn’t make sense to produce a great, sustainable product, but then have an exploitative company structure and culture.
Instead of focusing solely on maximising shareholder value, we need to champion new models for business.
I am a fan of your idea ... From my point of view, this is a relevant building block in the sense of a social-ecological market economy.
Steward ownership can help companies to stay mission driven and independent for the long term.
Much more experimentation is needed as well as an understanding of historic forms, which showed much more diversity than one would be led to believe from the current dominance of the singular shareholder focused C Corporation.
Key figures
SO:25 conference
Enjoy the World’s Biggest Gathering Around Steward Ownership as a Video
What a day! On October 9, the steward ownership ecosystem gathered in Berlin for the SO:25 conference. A day full of captivating stories, in-depth keynotes, valuable exchanges and learning, and pure joy at being together.
A global movement
We’re pioneering steward ownership.
Since 2016, we have inspired and supported changemakers around the world to embrace steward ownership. Today we closely collaborate with regional partners to help this model unlock its full potential globally.
Thank you!
None of what we do would be possible without the forerunners – the steward-owned companies, entrepreneurs and investors who, in the face of partly uncharted territories and systemic adversities, have the courage to forge ahead and implement steward ownership – as well as the many brilliant lawyers, tax consultants, researchers, legislators, thought leaders, changemakers and regional partners and donors contributing to this journey.
Steward-owned companies