The eoa has seven Specialist Advisors who are integral to growing great employee ownership in the UK - Baxendale Employee Ownership, Brabners, Fieldfisher, RM2 Employee Ownership Ltd, Paradigm Norton Financial Planning, Wrigleys Solicitors LLP, and Postlethwaite Solicitors.

Collectively they have successfully supported not only the technical transition of hundreds of businesses to employee ownership, but also influenced alongside the eoa an effective approach to culture, governance, and engagement to deliver Great EO. 

They’ve also supported the growth and influence of the sector by hosting events, supporting insights and policy by acting as advocates to help unlock the full potential of EO and People Powered Growth in the UK.  

Baxendale Employee Ownership

Baxendale Employee Ownership enable businesses to become employee owned and to thrive as EO businesses across the UK. 

For over 20 years, the friendly team of employee owners has grown to provide businesses and their owners a unique combination of legal, technical, and practical advice. 

Service and advice include:

  • Founder / Owners Workshops exploring succession options
  • Start to finish transition of ownership to EO; including Indirect (EOT), hybrid, and other EO ownership models
  • Training for Trustee & Company Directors on their roles and responsibilities
  • Advice and support on employee voice and engagement
  • Advice on reward in EOBs, including design and implementation of share schemes
  • Ownership and Governance Reviews for mature EO businesses 

Brabners

Brabners is a purpose-led independent law firm, certified B Corp, and market leader in employee ownership, supporting more than fifty businesses transition to employee ownership in the past four years. 

With a focus on the value of legacy and culture for businesses and founders, Brabners provides practical expert advice to support businesses at whatever stage they’re at in their EO journey.  

Support includes:

  • Legal services
  • Exploring EO succession and the legacy owners want for their business
  • Supporting decision making on EO structuring and governance
  • Support for management teams and trust boards of employee owned businesses
  • Advice on leveraging EO advantage and growing your EO culture

Paradigm Norton Financial Planning

A specialist financial planning firm and an employee-owned business since 2019, uniquely positioned to guide business owners through the transition to employee ownership. We understand that selling a business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is both a significant financial transaction and a major life event, with lasting personal and cultural impact. At Paradigm Norton, we go beyond the transaction to ensure your financial future is secure and your legacy is protected.

Expertise includes:

  • Comprehensive cash flow modelling to create a detailed and cautious picture of the deferred consideration payment profile, alongside a ‘Plan B’ for cash flow in case of any slowdown or pause in payments from the EOT.
  • Investment portfolio management to help you strategically invest sale proceeds in line with your personal goals, with particular expertise in sustainable investment strategies that align with your values.
  • Tax and estate planning to resolve new challenges created by an EOT sale, ensuring smooth intergenerational wealth transition while minimising tax liabilities.
  • Acting as your confidential sounding board, coordinating seamlessly with your legal, accounting, and business advisers and drawing on a trusted network of experts to deliver a joined-up experience.
  • Additional expertise in philanthropy planning and wider personal financial planning, ensuring every aspect of your financial life is covered.
  • Firsthand insight as an employee-owned business, bringing both lived experience and deep expertise to support business owners in navigating this exciting chapter.

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Postlethwaite

100% employee-owned and B Corp certified boutique law firm specialising solely in employee ownership and employee share schemes. With over 20 years’ experience, we have guided 200 businesses through Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) transitions and many more in setting up employee share schemes that support growth and engagement.

Our focus is on helping you to find the right approach and putting it in place. We provide clear, practical and commercially focused advice on:

  • Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) transitions
  • Employee share schemes and incentive arrangements
  • Advice and assistance on appointing and supporting trustees
  • Tax structuring and HMRC approvals
  • Governance frameworks for employee-owned companies
  • Ongoing legal support for employee-owned businesses

Top ranked by legal guides Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, we are trusted experts in our field.

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RM2 Employee Ownership Ltd

RM2, which became employee owned in 2019, has more than thirty years advising private companies on equity incentives for employees.

Its employee ownership advisors offer a single source for business owners looking to sell their business to their employees and/or wishing to create innovative share plan solutions.  

Support and services include: 

  • EMI share option schemes for SMEs & start-up companies
  • Larger all-employee share schemes including CSOP & Share Incentive Plans with employee portal access
  • Compliance, trusteeship, and administration for all share plans
  • Employee ownership trust (EOT) feasibility advice, valuation, and full transaction support delivered by an experienced multi-disciplinary team from a single source
  • Specialist in plans held by companies who have transitioned to employee ownership using an EOT
  • Insights and support to plan an approach to Great EO 

Wrigleys Solicitors LLP

A specialist law firm focussing on all aspects of trust law, working for purpose driven business, charities, social enterprises and family businesses across the United Kingdom.  The Employee Ownership team at Wrigleys sits within the Charities and Social Economy team and has many years of experience advising smaller, purpose driven, social enterprises and family businesses on the transition to employee ownership.

Expertise includes:

  • Creating a suitable and sustainable model for your employee ownership transition and structuring the right type of transaction for your business.
  • Building confidence at founder, and senior management level, alongside that of the employees, that the transition is the correct route for the business.  Helping to make sure the process is collaborative and that employees are actively engaged.
  • Discussing the appointment of an independent trustee director and how to integrate them into the decision-making process to build transparency and further good governance.
  • Supporting business owners to understand the potential cultural change for the business
  • Develop an understanding of how business succession can make a contribution to the wider community – as employee-owned businesses, charitable foundations and/or gaining and maintaining good business accreditations such as becoming a B Corp.
  • Advising on all aspects of trust law, trustee duties and governance and the make-up of a good EOT board.
  • Embedding good governance and values throughout the management and organisational structure that supports effective employee engagement.
  • Support with wealth management, inheritance and tax planning for owners and new directors.
  • Advising community interest companies and niche and specialist areas such as dentists or public sector entities on employee ownership succession.
  • Preparation of EOT Tax returns and trust administration.