Market research agency DJS Research has become an employee-owned business.
Founded in 2001, the Stockport, UK-based organisation has established a new employee ownership trust (EOT), in which the 25 permanent staff members will own the majority of the business, securing its future independence.
Directors Daniel and Ali Sims will remain with DJS as part of the agency’s long-term succession plan. The team of research directors will continue to look after a global client-base spanning private, public and charity sectors as the senior leadership team is reshaped for the future.
DJS was advised by Brabners’ specialist employee ownership team, led by partner Stephen Hadlow and accountancy firm Clarke Nicklin, led by managing partner and head of corporate finance Andrew Baggott.
Daniel Sims, owner and chairman at DJS Research, commented that the team is very proud of the company and how it had grown and evolved, adding that it is really important to protect its legacy and ensure it remains independent for many years to come.
He believes that employee ownership is the way to do this as it is “progressive, forward-thinking” and offers a way to recognise the “incredible and talented” workforce who have made the business thrive.
“The company is going from strength to strength and our 20th anniversary is the perfect time to start our exciting new chapter. We will continue to listen to our staff even more than before and deliver excellent research, while showing our clients the value of an employee-owned company through everything we do,” Sims said.
Stephen Hadlow, partner and EOT team lead at Brabners, wished DJS Research every success for the future. He added that the deal reflected a landscape where business owners are looking to the future and wanted to ensure security for their staff, as well as the company cultures they have worked so hard to build.
