EMPLOYEE OWNED PRACTICE: The transition and reality of changing to Employee Ownership
Wednesday 5th August 2020 - 18:00 - 20:00
Online Zoom Event
Within the profession there is growing interest in changing to an employee owned structure. However, whilst many practices are interested, they are often not clear about the logistics of changing to one and indeed the running of it. We have arranged this informal but informative evening online seminar on the topic which aims to provide an overview from a variety of perspectives including within and out with the profession, and at various levels of the business. Following a series of short talks the EAA will chair a question and answer session involving the full panel of speakers.
SPEAKERS:
Stephen Chan, Partner at Harper MacLeod LLP
Stephen is a Partner in the Harper Macleod Corporate team and has been recommended by Legal 500. He has a wide range of experience in corporate and corporate finance work, including mergers and acquisitions, management buy-outs, private equity, joint ventures and public offerings. He has also been advising clients in industries such as professional services, manufacturing, construction and retail on employee ownership. Stephen is also the author of "A Practical Guide to Partnership Law in Scotland" published by Thomson Reuters.
Val King, Trustee of the Employee Ownership Trust
Val is former owner and Managing Director of the Rooflight Company, a design and manufacturing business with 70 employees based in the Cotswolds. She and her husband Peter sold a majority shareholding of the business to employees in March last year; Val is now a Trustee of the newly formed Employee Ownership Trust.
The business has been founded on three Guiding Principles - Values-led culture, Innovation and Long-term sustainability.
With a firm belief that business can be a force for good, Val has recently set up a new business, BFG (Business as a Force for Good) Associates helping exiting business owners decide if employee ownership is right for them, and then supporting them in navigating the transition process. She also sits on the Employee Ownership Association Membership Council.
Chris Stewart, Director at Collective Architecture
Chris, alongside colleagues, founded Collective Architecture in 2007 with the transfer of ownership from himself to an employee owned trust. With 25 years of practicing architecture, Chris is an RIAS Sustainability Accredited Architect, sits on a wide range of boards and committees and has tutored at many institutions.
Glen Dott, Specialist Adviser, Co-operative Development Scotland
Glen is Employee Ownership Specialist Adviser at Co-operative Development Scotland, the arm of Scotland’s enterprise agencies that supports company growth through collaborative and employee ownership business models.
Glen has been involved in employee ownership for over 10 years across Scotland. He has worked with over 400 companies, varying in size from 5 to 500 employees and across different sectors, advising on ownership succession options and diverse models of employee ownership. This includes providing advice on the structuring, governance and funding of employe- owned businesses.
Hannah MacFarlane, Senior Architect at Anderson Bell + Christie
Hannah MacFarlane is a Senior Architect at Anderson Bell + Christie who became Employee Owned in May 2019. She is also an Employee Representative Trustee on the Trust Board and was part of the team elected by the staff to act as buyers of the business on behalf of the employees.