Creative consultancy Emperor is transitioning to employee ownership through an employee ownership trust (EOT), affecting 200 employees in six locations across the UK and the Middle East.
The move, announced on 21 January 2020, is part of the organisation's aim to become sustainable and people-focused, by directly involving employees in business growth.
Through the trust, Emperor employees with 12 or more months of continuous service will indirectly own a majority stake of 67% of the business. The structure of the business will also see the management team joined by an employee board to represent the voice of staff across all parts of the business.
Steve Kemp, chief executive officer at Emperor, said: “Our decision to move towards employee ownership is rooted in our deep appreciation for the contribution our employees have made over our 24-year history.
"Emperor has built a collaborative culture that promotes the best talent and innovation. This move will only strengthen it by emphasising our shared purpose and reinforcing the inclusive nature of our business. I believe this will put us in the best possible position to achieve our future aspirations as an independent agency.”
Deb Oxley, chief executive officer at the Employee Ownership Association, added: “We congratulate Emperor on its transition to employee ownership. Giving employees a platform to truly engage with business growth is an exciting prospect for all involved. By widening ownership of the business, Emperor is securing the future of the business, including its ethos and values, and we are looking forward to following the business on this journey.”
