Employee Ownership Q&A Hub

An Employee Ownership Trust is a UK legal structure that holds a controlling interest in a trading company on behalf of its employees. The trust becomes the long-term steward of the business.

In Northern Ireland, more and more family and founder-led businesses are using EOTs as a planned succession route that keeps jobs, skills, and value rooted in local communities.

Employee ownership can work well for profitable, stable businesses where owners want an exit that protects the team and the legacy of the organisation. It is often a good fit where:

• The owner wants to step back over time rather than sell to a competitor
• The business has a strong culture and committed workforce
• There is enough profit to support a structured buyout

You can explore this in more detail through a funded feasibility study supported by the Department for the Economy and Employee Ownership Ireland.

A feasibility study tests whether an EOT is the right route for your business. It usually covers valuation, funding options, governance, tax, and the impact on your team and leadership structure.

Through support funded by the Department for the Economy, eligible Northern Ireland businesses can access a fully funded feasibility study delivered by specialist advisers.

Learn more about funded feasibility studies

No. You do not need to be a member of Employee Ownership Ireland to access initial information or funded feasibility support.

Membership is there if you want to join a community of EOT businesses, take part in peer learning, and help shape the future of employee ownership across the island of Ireland.

Join the Employee Ownership Ireland mailing list

Advisers play a central role in successful EOT transitions. We work with accountants, corporate finance advisers, solicitors, lenders, and business support organisations who want to:

• Understand how EOTs work in practice
• Add employee ownership to their toolbox of succession options
• Connect their clients to feasibility support and peer examples

Email Employee Ownership Ireland

Membership connects you with a community of EOT businesses and those considering the journey. Members can access:

• Invitations to member-only events and peer learning sessions
• Access to case studies, videos, and toolkits in our members’ area
• Opportunities to shape policy and awareness work
• OA special Limited time offer of 1 years free membership of eoa, the UK wide employee Ownership Member community

Visit the members’ area