Employee Ownership (EO) is a business succession model where employees acquire a meaningful stake and participate in the company's long-term success. The most common UK structure is the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), which enables owners to sell part or all of a business to employees in a tax-advantaged way while preserving the company's legacy, values, and independence.

Whether you’re considering passing on a thriving enterprise or rejuvenating your leadership approach, EO offers a distinctive path. Unlike conventional exits such as trade sales, management buyouts, or private equity, EO preserves your business’s values, empowers your employees, and ensures the legacy you’ve built continues to flourish.

EOT is now the fastest-growing succession strategy among UK SMEs.

At its core, the EOT allows owners to sell a controlling interest to an employee trust, often on highly tax-efficient terms, while ensuring the company’s values and independence are preserved.

Employee ownership transitions can be funded in flexible ways, including:

• Vendor financing: Owner receives payment over time from company profits.

• Bank financing: Loans structured specifically for EO buyouts.

• Specialist EO capital providers: Impact investors aligned with EO values.

• Hybrid models: Combination of finance sources tailored to your business.

Our partners include trusted lenders and capital providers who understand EO and share your long-term vision.

Variations of EO, including direct share schemes and hybrid structures, can be tailored to company size, objectives, and ethos.

Direct share ownership: where employees individually hold shares

Hybrid models: combining a trust with direct shareholding.

Explore why more and more UK business owners are turning to employee ownership - not just as an exit but as a strategic evolution.