The second edition of The Employee Ownership Manual is a fully updated and practical guide that explains, in a clear and approachable way, all the key legal, tax, and organisational issues involved when a company becomes employee-owned.
Written by leading employee ownership lawyer Robert Postlethwaite, with a guest chapter by experienced adviser Jeremy Gadd, this edition reflects the latest developments in legislation and practice. It combines technical insight with real-world examples and case studies, making it an essential reference for business owners, professional advisers, and company leaders alike.
Why Employee Ownership?
Employee ownership is gaining momentum across the UK, with 2250+ businesses including well-known companies such as Richer Sounds, Aardman Animations (the creators of Wallace and Gromit), and Riverford Organics all embracing the model. It offers a flexible and effective succession solution for business owners planning retirement or a change of direction — while also providing a robust platform for sustainable growth by placing employees at the centre of the business.
The UK’s largest and best-known employee-owned company, John Lewis & Partners, has been owned by its employees since 1928 — but today, companies of every size, sector, and location are making the transition.
What’s Inside the Manual?
This updated edition covers:
- Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)
- Enterprise Management Incentives (EMIs)
- Company Share Option Plans (CSOPs)
- Share Incentive Plans (SIPs)
- Save As You Earn Options (SAYE)
- Phantom Shares
- Employee Trust Deeds
- Tax and anti-avoidance rules
- …and more
Whether you’re planning a transition to employee ownership or already running an employee-owned company, this manual will support you in both understanding the options and implementing them successfully.
It also tackles the people side of employee ownership — vital cultural and communication considerations that are just as important as getting the legal structure right.
Endorsed by the Employee Ownership Community
“Robert Postlethwaite and Jeremy Gadd’s ability to distil complex legal and practical considerations into a clear, structured guide is invaluable. This manual is a must-read for business owners considering employee ownership, as well as the lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors who support them.”
— James de le Vingne, Chief Executive, Employee Ownership Association
📖 The Employee Ownership Manual (Second Edition) is available now in both print and ebook formats from Spiramus Press.
‘I whole-heartedly welcome this ... book – The Employee Ownership Manual. It delivers exactly what is required now to educate and inform more business owners and their advisers about ‘why’, the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of employee ownership’
Deb Oxley OBE, Chief Executive of the Employee Ownership Association.
If you would like to explore how employee ownership could work for your company, please call me on 020 3818 9420