Why Choose Employee Ownership?
Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) offer a robust, proven way for business owners to sell their companies while protecting their legacy, rewarding employees, and ensuring continuity. Introduced in the UK in 2014, the EOT model is backed by legislation that encourages higher productivity and stronger employee engagement. By selling to a trust, owners avoid complex negotiations with external buyers, keep the company independent, and benefit from valuable tax incentives, while employees gain a meaningful stake in the success of the business through tax-free bonuses and profit sharing.
- Seller-Controlled Process
- Protects Legacy & Jobs
- Capital Gains Tax Free Transactions
- Straight Forward Process
Clear Advice.
Confident Ownership.
Stay in Control
An EOT puts the owner in charge of how and when the business is sold. There’s no need to negotiate with trade buyers or private equity; you decide the terms and pace of the transition.
Protect Your Legacy
Selling to an EOT keeps the company independent and protects jobs for the people who helped build it. Employees gain a real stake in its future, rewarding loyalty and sustaining your values long after you step back.
A Simple, Proven Path Forward
Unlike private equity or trade sales, an Employee Ownership Trust keeps the process clear and manageable for owners. There’s no need for long negotiations with multiple bidders. Instead, you agree fair value upfront and set clear terms that work for everyone involved. This means less disruption for the business and more certainty for you and your employees. It’s a straightforward way to secure a fair outcome while protecting what you’ve built.
Hybrid- The best of both worlds
The hybrid model combines direct employee ownership with majority ownership by the EOT. A share scheme, alongside the EOT, can be highly beneficial and are designed to give future leaders a focused incentive plan for the long term. A share scheme will result in key individuals having direct share ownership, compared to indirect ownership via the EOT, which will enhance their benefits in an employee owned business. According to the EO Knowledge Program, the most comprehensive UK study on employee ownership, the “hybrid” model was found to be more likely to improve productivity and profit compared to the pure EOT model. While the hybrid model may not be suitable for every company, it is a powerful option worth considering as part of your succession planning.
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