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Corporate and M&A

Employee Ownership Trusts

 

The Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is a special form of employee benefit trust introduced in September 2014 as an alternative method to sell a business. It is an indirect form of employee ownership in which a trust holds a controlling stake in a company on behalf of all its employees and provides an incentive for owners to sell a controlling stake in their business.  

As well as MBO’s, our corporate lawyers are experienced in leading people through the sale process to employees through Employee Ownership Trusts.  We are experienced in setting up the trust, establishing the trust company, share purchase agreement, including structuring the deferred consideration documentation.

Clarkslegal is a proud member of the Employee Ownership Association.

 

“Very professional, knowledgeable and accessible lawyers.” 

Chambers and Partners

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Read, listen and watch our latest insights

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  • 10 June 2022
  • Corporate and M&A

National Employee Ownership Day 2022

The 24 June 2022 will be the 10th annual Employee Ownership Day celebrated nationally by many businesses and the Employee Ownership Association. 

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  • 05 April 2022
  • Corporate and M&A

Intec Systems Limited becomes employee ownership owned

The Corporate and M&A team at Clarkslegal has advised Intec Systems Limited through the transition to employee ownership owned.

Pub
  • 14 May 2021
  • Employee Ownership Trust

Employee Ownership Trusts: The progressive way to sell a business

In this webinar, Clarkslegal, Quantuma and Clydesdale Bank discuss the many advantages Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) has to offer business owners looking to sell including the tax benefits, fixed selling price, together with knowing that their legacy is secured into the future.

Pub
  • 18 March 2021
  • Employee Ownership Trust

Employee Ownership Trusts: Wider points to consider

Stuart Mullins, Corporate Partner at Clarkslegal and Adrian Howells, Corporate Finance Director at Quantuma, explore some of the wider points when considering an Employee Ownership Trusts sale.

Pub
  • 04 February 2021
  • Employee Ownership Trust

Employee Ownership Trusts – Steps involved in a typical transaction

Watch Stuart Mullins, Corporate Partner at Clarkslegal and Adrian Howells, Corporate Finance Director at Quantuma, as they talk you through typical documentation structuring an Employee Ownership Trust whilst revisiting some of the advantages.

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  • 07 February 2020
  • Employee Ownership Trust

The growth of Employee Ownership Trusts

Since the enactment of the Finance Act 2014, the popularity and acceptance of the Employee Ownership Trust (“EOT”) as an exit option for business owners has continued to gain support from lawyers, accountants, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and business owners themselves.

“We are very pleased with the support and advice received from on the recent acquisition by BMW Group UK.  With clear, concise and timely advice and management, Ashan and his team helped us navigate through some complex arrangements and seamlessly bridged the gap between the legal and commercial issues”

Amit Kotecha, Senior Legal Counsel – BMW Legal Affairs UK & Ireland 

Ashan Arif is central to our working relationship – we have a high degree of trust and confidence in his work. He was interested in our business from the outset, clear about the firm’s capability and focus, and has provided high-value and cost-effective support.

Legal 500

“I had an excellent experience working with Stuart Mullins. He was thoughtful, pragmatic, and extremely efficient. Thank you very much for all your hard work to get the deal across the line.”

Jerry Izard, Director, Independent Optics Ltd

“Stuart and the rest of the team provided expert support during a recent corporate restructuring. We were calmly guided through the complex legal process, and realised significant additional benefits directly related to the advice provided.”

Stefan Zabel, Director, Wood Designer Ltd

“Stuart Mullins was great at understanding what my needs were and responded in a timely manner every time. It was great to talk to someone who understood our situation and moved my transaction to completion efficiently and diligently. I really appreciated the extent to which Stuart explained everything to me regarding the transaction agreement, which gave me so much confidence when speaking to the purchaser”.

Jan Tupper, Proprietor, Arniss Equestrian Ltd

“I was impressed with the speed, turnaround and frequency of communication in my dealings with Stuart Mullins, in concluding my share purchase.”

Nigel Keene, Managing Director, Whiteknights Estate Agents