Employee Ownership Trusts — the smart, tax-efficient way to exit your business
An Employee Ownership Trust lets you sell 51% or more of your company to a trust for your employees — at an effective 12% Capital Gains Tax for most qualifying sellers. No outside buyer, team intact, purchase funded from future profits. Here’s how it works with us.
Exit on your terms. Reward your team, protect your legacy, and secure a fair value — without the stress of a traditional sale.
Is an EOT right for you?
Choose an EOT if you want to:
- Exit with confidence and certainty rather than a drawn-out sale process
- Look after your people and keep your brand, values and service stable
- Optimise tax outcomes within clear, compliant guidance
- Stay involved for a transition period (if you wish) and hand over smoothly
Not sure? That’s normal. We’ll walk you through your options on a short call and show you how an EOT compares to a trade sale, MBO or private equity.
How the EOT process works (with Exit Better)
Typical timeline: measured in weeks, not quarters. We keep momentum and manage the moving parts for you.
1. Discovery & goals
your ambition, timescales and any red lines2. Indicative valuation
a grounded view of value & affordability3. Structure & funding plan
sensible terms paid over time from profits4. EOT trust setup & legal docs
we coordinate the specialist lawyers5. Completion & communications
clear messaging for staff and clients6. Aftercare
governance, board support and performance tracking
What you’ll get with us
- A dedicated lead adviser — one accountable contact from first chat to completion
- Clear documentation — no fluff; every step explained in plain English
- HMRC-aligned structuring — done right, first time
- A calm, proven process — we handle the complexity, you make the decisions
Speak with an adviser today
Results that matter (examples we can walk you through)
Owner exits with full value protected, team retained, and clients fully supported
Smooth leadership transition over 6–12 months, with governance baked-in
Staff engagement up, productivity steady, culture preserved
““We had our doubts, but Exit Better made a huge difference! They were straightforward, easy to talk to, and clearly knew their stuff. I’d recommend them to anyone thinking about doing the same.””
Richard M — Blue Shield Cleaning
““Since the transition, we’ve seen stronger engagement, better retention, and a deeper sense of shared purpose. Exit Better didn’t just focus on the numbers — they understood our purpose and shaped the whole process around us.””
Peter H — Cornerstone Veterinary Clinic
““Exit Better's knowledge of EOTs was clear from the start. They guided us through the process with a structured, hands-on approach that made everything feel manageable and clear.””
Joel C — Emporium Eyewear
Tell us a little about your business
Share the basics — we’ll come back with a clear next step today.
Takes 60 seconds. Fully confidential.
Prefer to lock a time in the diary?
Use our live calendar to book a free, no-pressure consultation with an EOT specialist. Choose a slot that suits you and we’ll send a brief pre-call checklist so we can make the most of the session.
Or just give us a ring
Sometimes it’s easier to talk. Call 020 8441 1140 and you’ll reach a real person who understands EOTs — no call centres, no scripts.
Email us: exitbetter@jla.accountants We’ll get back to you within one working day.
Come and see us: JLA Accountants, 42 Lytton Road, New Barnet, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 5BY
FAQs
Do employees pay anything?
No. Employees don’t buy shares and don’t take on debt — the company funds the purchase from future profits, paid to you over an agreed schedule. Your team gains ownership through the trust without writing a cheque.
Do I have to leave straight away?
No — exit cleanly or gradually, your choice. Many sellers stay on for a period while the loan notes are repaid, handing over the reins at a pace the business can handle.
Can I sell just part of the company?
The trust must take a controlling stake — at least 51%. You can keep up to 49% personally, which many founders do while the funding is repaid.
What is an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)?
A government-endorsed structure where a trust holds a controlling interest in your company on behalf of employees. It lets you sell at fair value, typically funded from future profits, while protecting your culture and clients.
How is the sale price agreed?
We provide a sensible, supportable valuation based on your profits and outlook. We’ll show you what’s affordable and how the consideration is paid over time.
Do I have to leave immediately?
No. Many founders stay involved for a transition period to hand over relationships and stabilise performance.
Is an EOT always the best route?
Not always. We’ll compare EOT vs trade sale vs MBO for your situation so you can choose with eyes open.
What about tax?
EOTs offer compelling tax advantages when structured correctly. Our chartered tax advisers make sure it’s set up and documented in line with HMRC requirements.
Will my team actually own shares?
The trust holds the controlling stake for the benefit of employees. You can still run bonus or share schemes to reward key people alongside the EOT.
How long does it take?
Often weeks rather than months, depending on your readiness and advisor responsiveness. We keep momentum.
What does Exit Better do vs the lawyers?
We act as your lead adviser, managing valuation, structure, funding plan, the legal process with specialist solicitors, comms and aftercare — so you’re not juggling multiple firms alone.
Next step
No slides. No jargon. Just a straightforward conversation about your exit.
- Free call
- Clear advice
- Real numbers
Takes 60 seconds. You’ve got nothing to lose.
Want to explore an EOT?
We’ll walk you through the basics. No pressure. No commitments.
- Free call
- Clear advice
- Real numbers
Takes 60 seconds. You’ve got nothing to lose.
Written by Parag Patel | Strategy and Tax Planning Consultant
Parag leads the Exit Better team at JLA Accountants, advising owners on employee ownership, succession and the tax that comes with both.
About the team