Tue, 23 Jul 2024 | BUSINESS SALE
Standguide Group, a training firm based in Ashton-Under-Lyne, has become 100 per cent employee-owned. The company’s move to employee ownership was advised on by the specialist employee ownership trust (EOT) team at North West law firm Brabners.
Standguide Group provides employment, education and health-related training services in the UK for organisations including the NHS, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice.
The firm was founded by George Bains and Phil Slater in 1990 before being acquired by CEO Mark Owen-Long and CFO Jim Gambles in a management buyout in 2018. Since the MBO, the business has grown from 80 employees to more than 300.
The company has said that the move to employee ownership will maintain its independence, while providing a long-term succession plan for the business.
CEO Mark Owen-Long stated that Standguide was “above all [...] a people-centric business" with several staff members that had been with the firm for more than 25 years and that, despite numerous approaches to acquire the company, “we wanted to ensure continuity for our staff and customers.”
He continued that Brabners had introduced Standguide to the option of employee ownership and that the company felt it was “the perfect way to preserve the culture and values of the business for the long term” and would enable the firm to “grow and prosper long into the future”.
The move comes amid a significant increase in the popularity of employee ownership and Brabners has advised on more than 50 employee ownership transactions over the past four years.
Stephen Hadlow, partner in Brabners’ corporate team, said: “There are so many reasons that employee ownership is the fastest growing business ownership model across the UK, not least because it protects the culture and independence of flourishing businesses.”
“We’re delighted to have supported Standguide in its move to employee ownership. Human capital is at the beating heart of Standguide’s business, and the EO model will help prioritise employees’ interests whilst delivering a stable succession plan for Mark and Jim.”
Find out what's driving the growth of the EOT model
The business for sale is a pawnbrokers and cash converter company that is based across multiple locations in London. It offers a range of services, such as the exchange of customers’ gold and silver jewellery for cash, as well as pawnbroking for clie...
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a highly regarded specialist recruitment agency for temporary staff in the hospitality industry.
Presenting a recruitment company providing permanent and temporary staff into the construction and engineering industries, both in the UK and overseas.
06
|
Sep
|
Surrey Victorian country manor hotel on the market for £8m | COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Stanhill Court Hotel, a Victorian Country Manor House hotel ...
06
|
Sep
|
Livingstone-based civil engineering firm falls into administration | ADMINISTRATION
Glenevin Limited, a Livingstone-based civil engineering firm...
06
|
Sep
|
Worcestershire accountancy acquires Cannock-based counterpart | BUSINESS SALE
A full-service accountancy and advisory firm based in Worces...
Business Sale Report is your complete solution to finding great acquisition opportunities.
Join today to receive:
All this and much more, including the latest M&A news and exclusive resources
Please choose your settings for this site below. For more information please read our Cookie Policy
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide you with access to all features.
These are analytics cookies that help us to improve the way our website works.
These are used to improve the functional performance of the website and make it easier for you to use.