Key Employees

Key Employees

Share Schemes for key or select employees, also known as selective or discretionary schemes:

EMI is a popular, flexible share option scheme for smaller companies. It offers generous tax advantages to both employer and employee.

A CSOP also allows companies to grant tax-advantaged share options to selected employees. It suits larger or more mature businesses that don’t qualify for EMI.

Also known as hurdle shares, growth shares are a bespoke share class which gives employees a stake in future growth, without diluting current shareholders’ value. Often used in start-ups or scale-ups, or to align senior staff with the company’s long-term growth.

If you think a share option scheme is right for your company but it’s not eligible for EMI or CSOP, you will probably be able to set up a non-tax advantaged share option scheme.

Others employee share schemes, including Share Purchase, Restricted Shares and Joint Share Ownership Plans (JSOPs).

Success stories

Val King, Managing Director of The Roof Light Company

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Orms Architects, Founding Director, Oliver Richards

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Mindworks Marketing – Managing Director, Michelle Leggatt

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Case studies

Synergy Vision

“Employee Ownership is a natural step forward for Synergy Vision. We have transferred 87.5% of the company to our employees, which protects our people-focused ethos and will drive continued innovation...

Just Pudding Basins

“If you are looking to transact what may well be the biggest step in your company’s journey you need sound clear thoughtful professional advice, in our opinion you need Postlethwaite!”...

Nikwax

“The team at Postlethwaite have enabled Nikwax and Páramo to preserve our unique purpose-led values whilst building a sustainable future as we transition from being founder owned to an exciting...

Origin

The Business Origin Limited is a law firm specialising in intellectual property and technology law, and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Founded in 1988 by Peter Langley, Origin helps...

Concepto Diagnostics

“Wonderful support, professional service and on time delivery – exactly where you need to go for an EOT transaction.” – Atal Malviya, Director, Concepto Diagnostics The Business Concepto...

TensCare Limited

“From the moment I was introduced to Postlethwaite I knew we had the right solicitors to help us manage and negotiate the transition of TensCare to employee ownership. They were...

Orms Designers and Architects

“Our accountants introduced us to Robert Postelthwaite and we just respected him. We liked the way he gave gave clear direct answers.” – Oliver Richards, Director at Orms ...

MindWorks Marketing Agency

“Over the years, we have built a strong caring ethos at MindWorks. By setting up an EOT, I can ensure this ethos continues as the new agreement specifies that the...

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"...when I transitioned TensCare into an Employee Owned Trust Business I had the invaluable help, counsel and guidance of Robert Postlethwaite and his team. The process was clearly laid out and professionally executed. Since then our business has benefitted from the power of being EO - quadrupling in turnover and improving in profitability and importantly positively impacted all of TensCare's employees. Also with good counsel on TRUST matters from Robert Postlethwaite along the way."
Neil C Wright, Managing Director, Tenscare
"From the moment I was introduced to Postlethwaite I knew we had the right solicitors to help us manage and negotiate the transition of TensCare to employee ownership. They were clear about the processes and benefits involved and upfront about their fees."
Neil C Wright, Managing Director, Tenscare
"We chose Postlethwaite because they are experts in employee ownership and share schemes, they are employee-owned themselves, of course... Postlethwaite were easy to deal with and we developed a good rapport with them... they made the whole process of issuing the EMI scheme very straightforward."
Ed Mason, Five Points Bewing Company
"Postlethwaite demonstrated time and again their detailed knowledge and expertise in this specialist field. The move to employee partnership was one of the best things we have done for our business and our employees and has enabled us to grow and engage our employees."
Barry Hayes, Director, Flo Group Limited
"[Our accountants] introduced us to Robert Postlethwaite and we just respected him; we liked the way he gave direct answers... he gave good advice."
Oliver Richards, Director, Orms Designers & Architects