TL;DR
- Employee ownership is rising in Northern Ireland as a practical solution for business succession.
- Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) allow owners to exit tax-free while protecting local jobs.
- S&W Wholesale, People 1st, and White Ink Architects have already made the move.
- The Department for the Economy is funding fully supported feasibility studies.
- Now is the time to explore if EO is right for your business.
👉 Register your interest or apply for a funded feasibility study
👉 Join the Employee Ownership Ireland mailing list
The challenge facing Northern Ireland businesses
Over 80% of businesses in Northern Ireland are family-owned, according to Ulster University’s Centre for Sustainable Family Enterprise.
Many of these owners are approaching retirement with no succession plan in place. That puts thousands of local jobs at risk over the coming decade.
Source: Ulster University Business School – Centre for Sustainable Family Enterprise
Employee ownership: a real solution
An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) allows owners to sell a controlling stake in their business to a trust on behalf of employees.
Benefits include:
- 0% Capital Gains Tax on the sale if qualifying conditions are met
- A clear succession plan without the disruption of a trade sale
- Preserved jobs, culture, and values
- A boost in employee engagement and productivity
Source: UK Government – Finance Act 2014
Local examples leading the way
These aren’t just theories. Several well-known Northern Ireland firms have already transitioned:
- S&W Wholesale (Newry) – now majority employee-owned
- People 1st (Lisburn) – completed their transition in 2024
- White Ink Architects (Belfast) – introduced employee ownership and employee trustees in 2023
All of them chose EO to secure their future while staying true to their roots.
The government is backing this
In June 2025, the Department for the Economy announced nearly £100,000 in funding to support employee ownership transitions.
That means businesses in Northern Ireland can now apply for a fully funded feasibility study, giving them access to:
- Legal and financial advice
- Governance and culture guidance
- Tailored support at no cost
Source: Department for the Economy News – June 2025
Does it really work?
Yes. Research from Ownership at Work shows that employee-owned businesses:
- Are 8–12% more productive than their counterparts
- Invest more in training and development
- Pay higher average wages
- Are more resilient during downturns
Source: Ownership at Work – Evidence and Impact
And in Northern Ireland, early adopters are already seeing stronger internal communication, staff buy-in, and longer-term planning.
What’s next?
If you’re a business owner thinking about succession in the next 1–5 years, now is the moment to explore your options.
Employee Ownership Ireland is here to help. We offer:
- Peer matching with business owners who’ve already made the transition
- Expert support to navigate your journey
- Access to fully funded feasibility studies through our partnership with the DLD Fund
Take the next step
✅ Apply for a feasibility study
✅ Join the EOI mailing list
📧 Or email: catherine.muldoon@employeeownershipireland.com
