Business Owners

Planning for the Future of Your Business

As a business owner, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how to secure your company’s future. Whether you’re planning for succession, looking to reward and retain key people, or seeking ways to share success more widely, the right employee ownership model  can make a lasting difference.

At Postlethwaite, we’ve guided hundreds of businesses through their employee ownership journey. Our specialist team will help you find the approach that best supports your goals, your people, and the long-term success of your business.

Your Employee Ownership Options

Employee ownership gives your people a real stake in the company’s success. It can take several forms:

• Trust Ownership – Often through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), where a trust holds shares on behalf of all employees. The trust would acquire a majority stake in the company. This is a popular succession solution, has significant tax-advantages and ensures the business remains independent.

• Individual Share Ownership – Employees own shares directly, usually through a tax-advantaged share scheme. This approach builds alignment and gives individuals a tangible share in future value.

• Hybrid Models – A combination of trust ownership and individual shareholding, designed to capture the benefits of both approaches. For example, often when an Employee Ownership Trust acquires a majority stake the company may also wish to implement an Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) share plan to further incentivise key employees.

We’ll explain these models in plain terms and help you decide which is best for your circumstances.

Why Choose Postlethwaite?

We’ve been supporting businesses with employee share schemes and ownership transitions for over 20 years. We’re recognised leaders in this field and known for offering advice that is clear, practical, and reliable.

We’re ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as specialists in our field. Clients trust us to listen carefully, explain clearly, and tailor our support to their needs.

And as a 100% employee-owned firm ourselves, we know first-hand the value that employee ownership can unlock — for individuals, leadership teams, and whole organisations.

Contact our Expert Team Today

Please contact our specialist team by calling us on 020 3818 9420 or sending an email to info@postlethwaiteco.com. One of our friendly solicitors will promptly be in touch.