Tue, 18 Feb 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
West Midlands creative agency Rees Bradley Hepburn (RBH) has transitioned to employee ownership. That means the company, which is celebrating its 30th year in business will be owned by its 50 employees through an Employee Ownership Trust.
The co-founders of RBH, Debra Hepburn and Tim Rees, have sold 100 per cent of their shares to the EOT. Hepburn will remain as managing director, with Rees and RBH employees Jo James, Kevin Bishop and Honor Nicholls taking up trustee roles.
The RBH board, consisting of James Hodges, Natalie Griffiths, Rob Drewry, Fizz Bingham, Rebecca Williams, Michael Vines and Joe Hepburn along with Debra Hepburn, will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.
RBH, established in 1995 and based in a barn conversion on the outskirts of Meriden, works with brands including Wacoal, Suzuki, JLR, Birmingham Airport and Cameron Homes; its services include marketing, campaign strategy, PR communications and web development.
"When we set up RBH, we wanted to create a flat structure, one where people sat together in an open flow space. Where ideas could come from anywhere," said Hepburn. "Where we could make things happen for our clients brilliantly and fast, without complex management layers. We have had countless suitors over the years. Even more in the last year or two. But we have stayed fiercely independent and have never wanted to work for anyone else or work in a different way. RBH is us. We are RBH. But so are our exceptional colleagues."
Hepburn added that when it came to deciding upon the future of RBH the management team "simply reverted to our original founding intention, that we will always want this to be 'our agency'".
"The EOT allows RBH to stay in charge of its own future and protects the opportunity for all RBHers to make a good and happy living. It allows people to work in and own a company they can be proud of," Hepburn said.
Jo James, appointed trustee, added: "News of the employee ownership has been really well received by the whole RBH team, and we are all delighted that we get to grow and contribute to the success of the company we love so much. The culture of our business is important to each and every one of us so we are pleased that the EOT will protect this for years to come."
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