Employee-ownership
Introduction
Our friends at Harrison Clark Rickerbys have kindly provided the ‘legal speak’ version of what an employee ownership trust (EOT) is:
“An employee ownership trust (EOT) is a form of employee trust offering indirect ownership of shares by employees. It is a collective vehicle which acquires a controlling interest in a company and then holds that interest for the long-term benefit of the company’s employees. EOTs were born out
of a desire to increase employee ownership of UK businesses. Studies have consistently shown that employee-owned businesses perform better, demonstrating greater resilience, innovation, and profitability. Employees show greater commitment to, and engagement with, a business when they have a stake in it.”
Companies with employee-owned models are varied; they include John Lewis, ARUP and Riverford Organic Farms.
Our story
Dave Stroud
Head of Operations and Employee Representative to the EOT Board
Employee ownership wasn’t a fix for TDL; it strengthened what already worked in terms of staff motivation, employee retention, and company culture. The real benefit is shared ownership, as the team sees how their effort directly shapes the business. The EO model reinforces long-term stability, helping attract and retain strong people. It also brings financial upside, with the option to pay employees tax-free bonuses of up to £3,600 annually.
As for our clients and partners, they have the reassurance that we have a proven model putting our employee’s interests at the heart of what we do. Thanks to our EO status, there’s now little chance of TDL being bought out and losing its great culture, so we will continue to be a sustainable and reliable partner, offering a market-leading information design service.
“Becoming employee-owned in 2023 marked an exciting new era for TDL. It’s clear that our greatest strength is our people. We’re a team – enthusiastic, creative and (as our clients tell us), great to work with.”
Looking ahead
Since becoming employee-owned, TDL has continued to evolve in ways that reflect the strength and ambition of the team. Craig Melvin has spent the past few years in the role of Creative Director, helping shape the next phase of the business and the quality of work we deliver. Meanwhile, Oliver has relocated to Australia to establish TDL APAC, extending our reach and creating new opportunities internationally. The transition to employee ownership has also connected us with other like-minded businesses.
Over the past two years, we’ve attended the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) conference, sharing ideas and learning from other organisations committed to building sustainable, people-led companies. For me, becoming a employee-owned marked the beginning of a new chapter for TDL rather than the end of one. The goal remains the same: to build a growing, resilient business owned by the team who make TDL what it is.
