Manchester-based giftware importer and distributor Joe Davies has announced that it is to become a 100% employee-owned business.
The shareholding of the business will be held by the Joe Davies Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) for the benefit of all employees.
The existing management team remains in place, headed up by CEO Steve Davies, whose great grandfather Joe founded the business 105 years ago.
Steve commented: “I am very proud to be able to say that the transition of the company to a 100% employee-owned business will see Joe Davies being run, and owned, by the very people that make Joe Davies what it is.
“While I’m not retiring any time soon and my dad Peter is still very much involved with Joe Davies, there is no fifth generation of family coming through. For Peter and I an EOT is the perfect solution to secure our staff’s livelihoods and to look after my Grandpa Joe’s legacy. This allows Joe Davies to continue in its own special way and serve our lovely customers for many years to come.”
While employee ownership is not new, with perhaps the most famous example being John Lewis, it is one of the fastest-growing ownership models in the UK.
Paul Hooker, managing director, said: “The whole team at Joe Davies are immensely proud and honoured to be with the company as we transition to being an employee-owned business. Day to day this will ensure that there is no change in the way we operate or shift in our values.”
The deal has been some time in its preparation, with the business guided and supported by both the Employee Ownership Association and advisors Baxendale Employee Ownership, a specialist law firm who have been helping companies transition for over 14 years.
The deal is expected to complete in early February.
Joe Davies will be at Spring Fair at the NEC, Hall 4 Stand C10 / D11.
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