Sills & Betteridge LLP supports Global Creative Business in Employee Ownership Milestone

Corporate Partner Euan McLaughlin recently supported leading London creative design agency Dalziel & Pow with their transition to ownership by an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Dalziel & Pow work globally, creating iconic brands & experiences across the retail, service and culture sectors – with highlights including the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and clients as varied as Adidas, Google and Marks & Spencer.

An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is a trust that acquires a controlling interest in a company on behalf of its employees. The owner sells their shares to the trust, which then holds them for the long-term benefit of all employees. This allows the business to remain independent while giving employees an indirect ownership interest and helping to ensure continuity for the company. Benefits include tax advantages, succession planning and social responsibility.

Alongside Dalziel & Pow's accountants at Wright Vigar, Euan advised the Dalziel & Pow management team on the full transaction, from drafting the necessary documents to meeting with shareholders and the management team to explain key concepts and discuss issues and queries.

Keith Ware, Managing Director of Dalziel & Pow, commented:

"This is a huge step in the transformation of the business that will serve to protect the future independence of the D&P Brand through employee ownership and empower our staff to play a role in the future development of the business.

Despite being our first experience of working with Euan, he quickly understood the unique drivers and factors at play within our business, delivering an entirely bespoke service throughout. He was available and responsive whenever we needed to discuss something and was willing (where appropriate) to gently push back on suggestions made to him based on his experience of EOT transactions.

If you are considering whether an Employee Ownership Trust could be the right succession solution for your business, please contact Euan McLaughlin on 01522 542211 or by email at emclaughlin@sillslegal.co.uk to arrange an initial discussion.