The Employee Ownership Podcast

In this episode, founder and CEO Andrew McCallum at Aspect: The Strategic Communication Experts, explains the decision behind the move to employee ownership in 2024.

In this episode, director and partner Ewan Hall at Baxendale Employee Ownership explains what good governance looks like in an employee-owned business.

In this episode, David Scott, non-executive director at Tepnel Pharma Services Limited and Trustee at Tepnel Life Sciences Trustees Limited, explains the decision behind the move to employee ownership in 2022 and why an MBO route had to be taken initially.

In this episode, partner and managing director John Housego at Aquascot explains what good employee engagement looks like.

In this episode, former owner and managing director Will Cox at Land Rover Experience Scotland explains the decision behind the move to employee ownership in 2023.  

In this episode, founder & CEO Jamie Livingston from Livingston James, market-leading executive search business, explain the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2023.  

In this episode, Loren Rogers, Executive Director from NCEO shares his experience of the employee ownership sector in the USA; its history, the growth of the sector and recent developments.  

In this episode, founder and director, Chris Wilson from Glen Drummond and Sharles CA, explains the decision behind the transitioning both his accountancy firms to employee ownership in 2023 and the resultant benefits.

In this episode, founder and CEO Tony Marks, founder and CEO, 20/20 Project Management Training, Scotland's first hotel and resort to become employee-owned, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2017 and the resultant benefits.

In this episode, director, Ralph Leishman from 4c consulting, an employee-owned, collaborative consulting firm, explains the Roles and Responsibilities of EOT Trustees.

In this episode, former owner Julian Darwell-Stone and Managing Director Sarah Ramsay from Tangram Furnishers, the leading experts in contemporary furniture and interiors, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2020.

In this episode, corporate finance partner from Consilium Chartered Accountants Linzi Wilson, explains the role of an accountant in an EOT deal.

In this episode, managing director Ben Adams from Narro Associates, a structural and civil engineering consultancy, explains it moves to employee ownership in 2014 and goes on to detail its hybrid model of ownership which gives team members real benefits and opportunities that aren't available in traditional business models.

In this episode, Martin Stucki, non-executive director & former CEO of Transitec Consulting Engineers, and executive MBA candidate at the University of Edinburgh Business School explains the decision to move his Switzerland based firm to employee ownership in 2023 and goes on to detail the findings on his MBA capstone project entitled ‘Employee-owned Entrepreneurship: Lessons from and for Scottish SMEs'.

In this episode, founder and director Trudy Mackenzie, and operations director Martina Höfner from Esteem Training Ltd, specialists in delivering leadership, management, and business improvement to the construction industry, explain the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2022. Listen below, and don't forget to subscribe to the series to keep up with future episodes! You can view all episodes here.

In this episode, Carole Leslie from Ownership Associates explains what ‘good' employee ownership looks like. She outlines the key components of a thriving ownership culture, including an appropriate governance structure and sharing clear communication and information. Listen below, and don't forget to subscribe to the series to keep up with future episodes! You can view all episodes here.

In this episode, founder and medical director Ian Yellowlees (BA(Eng), MB ChB, MPhil) and chief executive officer Philip Speakman from Quantics Biostatistics, a biostatistical solutions provider for the bioscience and medical devices industries, explain the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2021. Listen below, and don't forget to subscribe to the series to keep up with future episodes! You can view all episodes here.

In this episode, co-founder & executive chairperson Linda Johnston from Auchrannie Resort, Scotland's first hotel and resort to become employee-owned, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2017 and the resultant benefits. Listen below, and don't forget to subscribe to the series to keep up with future episodes! You can view all episodes here.

In this episode, managing director Andrew Lane from Union Industries, a specialist in the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, long-lasting, bespoke industrial high-speed doors for all industry sectors, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2014 and his role in making that happen. Listen below, and don't forget to subscribe to the series to keep up with future episodes! You can view all episodes here.

In this episode, founder and managing director Magnus Swanson from Swanson's Food Wholesalers, a local company working with local producers to give its customers the freshest of produce whilst maintaining a low carbon footprint, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2021. Listen below, and don't forget to subscribe to the series to keep up with future episodes! You can view all episodes here.

In this episode, one of Accord's founder directors James Arthur and director and principal consultant Gordon Inglis from Accord Energy Solutions Limited, the first employee-owned start-up business in Scotland and a specialist hydrocarbon accounting resource base for the international oil, gas and LNG industries, explain the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2010 and outlines the progress since then. Listen below, and don't forget to subscribe to the series to keep up with future episodes! You can view all episodes here.

In this episode, Chairman Manny Khorasani and Managing Director Colin Wade from Chemco International, a world leader in innovative coating solutions in the Protective & Marine Coatings Industry, explain the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2018. They then go on to detail the successful leadership transition of Manny to Chair and Colin to MD.

In this episode, co-founder & Managing Director Kevin Shaw from Heatherlea, one of Britain's leading wildlife holiday operators, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2021.

In this episode, co-founder & Managing Director Brian Combe, Employee Director Marco Miglionico and Business Development Director Tristan Elliott from i4 Product Design consultancy explain the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2018.  They then go on to detail the technical and leadership transition that completed in 2021.

In this episode, co-founder and Director Stefan Huber from Paul Heat Recovery Scotland, supplier of energy-efficient ventilation solutions for sustainable homes, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership in 2021. 

In this episode, Founder CEO Stephen Gill, and General Counsel Aaron Stewart from VME Coop, the leading software provider for retail co-ops in the UK, explain the decision behind the conversion to a co-operative EOT in 2019.  They then go on to detail the co-operative governance and decision-making structure that was implemented at the same time.

In this episode, Managing Director Fred Bowden and Sales Director Stuart Robertson from Woollard & Henry, an international supplier of quality equipment and solutions across multiple sectors, explain the move to employee ownership in 2002 and details their successful diversification and entry into new sectors and markets since then.  

In this episode, founders Angus & Shona Knight of Mediascape, a Glasgow-based audio-visual systems company, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  Legal Expert Bruce Farquhar from Anderson Strathern who was part of the transition team shares details on the deal itself.  

In this episode, the three main players in an employee ownership transaction talk through structuring a deal.  Hear direct from Legal Expert Douglas Roberts from Lindsays, Accountant Colin Grant from Time2Adapt and employee ownership specialist and project manager Andrew Harrison from Co-ownership Solution. 

In this episode, founder Philip Mowatt of ITWorx, a North East IT provider, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  Employee ownership specialist Andrew Harrison from Co-ownership Solutions who project managed the transition shares details on the deal itself.  

In this episode, Managing director and founder Hendrie Barbour from MHB Consultants, a Glasgow-based civil engineering firm, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  Employee ownership specialist Andrew Harrison from Co-ownership Solutions who project managed the transition shares details on the deal itself.

In this episode, Managing director and former owner Des Brown from GS Brown, a Fife engineering firm, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  Employee ownership specialist Carole Leslie from Ownership Associates who project managed the transition shares details on the deal itself.  

In this episode, Managing director and former majority shareholder Brian Gallacher from Pacific Building,  a Glasgow construction and fit-out company, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  Employee representative William Mcphee describes what the transition was like from an employee perspective. Employee ownership specialist Andrew Harrison from Co-ownership Solutions who project managed the transition shares details on the deal itself.  

In this episode, former owner Helen Erwood from ESPL Regulatory Consulting, a specialist life science regulatory consultancy, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  New Managing Director Jason Collins describes what the transition was like from his perspective. Employee ownership specialist Carole Leslie from Ownership Associates who project managed the transition shares details on the deal itself.  

In this episode, director John Atkinson from Guard Archaeology, a Scottish archaeology company, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  Warren Bailie, one of the employee owners describes what the transition has meant for the employee base and employee ownership specialist Ralph Leishman from 4-consulting who project managed the transition shares details on the deal itself.  

In this episode, managing director and former owner Kirsten Robeson from Cameron Interiors, a luxury kitchen design business, explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership.  Linzi Wilson from Consilium Chartered Accountants who was part of the transition team shares details on the deal itself.  

In this episode, Stuart Mills, form aerospace engineering company STAR-Dundee, talks about the company's transition to employee ownership.  Stuart talks about the journey of the business from a spin-out from the University of Dundee through to employee ownership.  He explains why they opted for employee ownership and what was involved in the process.  He then explains the current structure and governance of the business and the positive impact on recruiting talented personnel to work for the company. He explains what they would do differently if they were to go through the process again, then concludes by recommending the option to business owners seeking to exit their business.

This episode features an interview with Niall MacDonald from Aquascot, an award-winning seafood business based in the Scottish Highlands.  Niall begins by outlining the owners decision to transition into employee ownership to ensure business longevity.  Having taken the decision, Niall then talks through the various steps in the process and the structure of the trust that was put in place at Aquascot.  He covers the mechanisms that were put in place to involve and engage with the employees and the formula that is in place to calculate tax free bonuses. Niall joined Aquascot after the transition process had begun, so he also talks about his experience of joining an employee owned business.

This episode features Campbell Clark from Blackadders, a firm of solicitors with offices throughout Scotland that offer specialist services for businesses looking at employee ownership.  Campbell begins by outlining why there has been increased interest in employee ownership and what other options are available to business owners seeking to exit their business.  He then explains what's involved in an employee ownership deal and defines an Employee Ownership Trust. Campbell rounds up with some useful information about employee engagement, how these deals are traditionally financed, and his methodology when acting in an employee ownership deal.

In this episode, father and son team, Stuart and Kenny Hutton talk about the rich history of the Priory Hotel in Beauly.  Stuart talks about the exit options considered for the long-established family business and how that journey took him close to a trade sale just before they became aware of employee ownership.  They decided that because of the strong ties with the local community, employee ownership was the perfect option. It is an enlightening insight into how the staff have responded to the transition to employee ownership and how Kenny still plays an important part in the business whilst his father has been able to exit the business.

In this episode, Karen Pickering from architectural practice, Page/Park explains how they moved from a partnership structure to an employee ownership structure. Karen outlines how they involved employees by setting up a ‘Transition Group' and describes the culture change amongst employees since becoming employee owned.  She also explains how the shares are now owned and touches on what they would do differently if they were to go through the process again.  Finally, Karen gives her thoughts on why other business should look at the employee ownership model.

In this episode, Andrew Harrison from Co-ownership Solutions explains the role and importance of an employee ownership adviser. He provides guidance on the right time to involve an employee ownership adviser in the discussions and where this adviser sits in relation to other professional advisers.  He provides some valuable information on the options to be considered when exiting a business and the advantages to the seller and the employees if you opt for employee ownership. He then discusses the finance aspect of an employee ownership transaction and the potential tax advantages for both the seller and the employees.  Finally, he talks about the cost of the transition process, the corporate governance structure and the important topic of retaining the company culture during and after the process.

In this episode, Simon Poole from Jerba Campervans, an official Volkswagen registered vehicle body builder for the VW T6 Transporter,  explains the decision behind the transition to employee ownership and the other options he explored.  He goes on to talk about the aspects that worried him and how these worries were dispelled.  He provides good insight into the process and at which point they decided to involve the employees.  He then explains how the Employee Ownership Trust was set up and talks openly about some of the challenges along the way. Finally, he provides an update on the business since becoming employee-owned and what he would do differently if he was going through the process again.

In this first episode, Dennis Overton, founder of Alness-based aquaculture firm Aquascot, provides an introduction to Employee Ownership and industry leadership group Scotland for Employee Ownership. He also offers insight into how and why Aquascot  became employee-owned and what the impact has been on the business.