Employee ownership trusts
Our corporate, tax and trust specialists are skilled at helping owner-managed and family-run businesses transition to an employee ownership trust (EoT) structure. We’re also known for our expertise in helping businesses with succession concerns, as well as preserving a business’ existing cultures and values.
If you’re looking to transfer shares to an EoT or considering succession planning, we’ll be happy to discuss the advantages of a sale to an EoT with you, advise on the terms of the sale, and draft the relevant legal documents.
We understand the ways in which employee ownership can lead to increased productivity and engagement from employees, who also benefit from bonuses that are exempt from income tax.
The current business environment means that with no capital gains tax payable by shareholders selling a controlling interest, a sale to an employee ownership trust (EoT) is becoming increasingly popular.
A sale to an EoT can either provide shareholders with a full exit, selling 100% of their shares, or a partial exit where they retain up to 49% of the shares.
The structure also allows for members of the management team to hold shares or share options themselves, as well as to decide how and when the value of shares is realised.
Our goal is to make your experience as stress-free as possible. Our stellar team can also offer advice in relation to the establishment, constitution and governance of the EoT itself, whilst putting your mind at rest with regards to funding options, be it self-funded or through external sources.
We pull out all the stops, so you can focus on what matters knowing you can count on us at all stages.
Featured experience
Clegg Group
Advised on the transfer of shares from the shareholders to an employee ownership trust.
A bank
Advised a bank in relation to an employee ownership trust structure as part of their refinancing of the group.
A bank
Advised a bank on the financing of a transfer of shares from the shareholders of a company to an employee ownership trust.
Related expertise
Key contacts
Sam Sharp
Senior Associate
Gavin Cummings
Partner
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