What we do and why
Founded in 2003 by Robert Postlethwaite, who, inspired by Jonathon Porritt’s book Seeing Green believed there must be a better way to do business - give employees a genuine stake in their company’s success and engage them in how it performs and its wider role in the world.
Our mission is to “Enable companies to achieve successful employee ownership through care, commitment and clarity, grounded in technical and practical excellence.”
At Postlethwaite, we don’t just advise on employee ownership — we live it. As a 100% employee-owned boutique law firm, now certified B Corp, we understand both the legal and human side of shared ownership. Our purpose is to help business owners, leadership teams and/or business advisers design and implement structures of employee ownership that preserve legacy, reward contribution, and spark long-term growth. Whether transitioning via an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), introducing a share scheme or a hybrid ownership model, we are committed to finding the best approach for you - tailored to your needs, commercially sound and practical, tax efficient and the best platform for future growth and success.
Our recipe for great EO
Whether you’re simply considering your succession choices or are already exploring transferring your business to an EOT, we’ll help you on your journey, from the first questions to final signatures and beyond. With over twenty years’ experience and 200+ EOTs completed across a range sectors, we know that every business is different. Here’s how we make employee ownership work in practice:
- Tailored Transition Support
From initial consultation through to completion, we guide businesses through EOT transitions and bespoke ownership models designed to match the goals of the business owner.
- Legal and Tax Structuring
Advice on HMRC approvals, structuring for tax reliefs, deferred consideration, funding the sale all to ensure the transaction is sound and beneficial and constitution of EOT.
- Governance & Trustee appointment advice
We can provide advice for selecting and appointing trustees; establishing governance frameworks; and ensuring structure and accountability best practice.
- Share & Incentive Schemes
Design and implementation of share schemes (EMI, SIP etc.), reward structures and incentive arrangements — helping employees to partake directly in growth.
- Embedding EO Culture & Employee Voice
Working with you to educate employees and explain what employee ownership means - helping build communications and engagement
- Ongoing Support
Long-term legal, EOT tax and governance advice.
Top Tips
Here are some insights we’ve found invaluable from having worked with many companies already:
- Start with values and culture - ownership works best when you know what you care about, not just what the legal structure is.
- Think long term, not just exit - those decisions on governance, trustees, employee involvement matter for decades.
- Ensure financial robustness - understanding your cash flow, reserves, and how to fund the ownership transition is essential. Ensure financial projections to support payments for the company are stress tested
- Select the right trustees - they need to be curious, willing to learn about the role and provide friendly challenge.
- Communicate early and often - involving employees early builds trust, clarity, and momentum.
- Be able to let go - Trust your new leadership team to take over and nurture the business you’ve built.
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