Exit route
An employee ownership trust, or EOT, transfers control of the company to a trust for the benefit of employees. It suits founders who want to preserve culture, reward staff and step back without selling to an external buyer. The structure is often used when the business has stable cash flow and a management team that can continue running it after completion. Transactions often take 3-9 months depending on tax structuring, governance work and the amount of diligence required. Adviser costs vary by complexity, but owners should expect tax, legal and corporate finance input rather than a single simple fee. Key risks include weak cash flow, unrealistic valuation expectations and misunderstanding the ongoing governance role after completion.
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Multi-disciplinary chartered accountancy and advisory firm with a dedicated corporate finance and EOT practice for owner-managed and founder-led businesses.
Bishop's Stortford
UK top-30 chartered accountancy firm with a dedicated Strategic Corporate Finance team advising owner-managed businesses on sales, MBOs and EOT transitions.
Liverpool
Independent UK law firm and Employee Ownership Association specialist adviser with a large corporate M&A and EOT practice.
London
Specialist UK law firm focused solely on employee ownership and EOT transitions, itself 100% employee-owned.
Marlow
Marlow-based corporate finance boutique specialising in Employee Ownership Trust transactions and SME business sales.
Sheffield
Independent Yorkshire-based chartered accountancy firm with a dedicated corporate finance and EOT advisory practice.
FCA-regulated boutique M&A advisory firm serving owner-managers and entrepreneurs on exits and mid-market transactions.
London
UK chartered accountancy and business advisory firm with dedicated corporate finance, transaction services and business succession teams.
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