In September 2024, Cambridgeshire based BI Catering Equipment Services become 100% employee owned via an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This momentous change of ownership marked a new chapter for BI Catering Equipment Services and its employee owners by preserving its unique identity, values and commitment to its stakeholders.

Andrew and Alison Jones first came across employee ownership when they started to explore their succession options.  As Andrew and Alison had already identified their successors – Jodie Duggan, Neil Jones and Tyler Bell, who are all long serving employees of the business, it was fundamental that any succession plan needed to (i)  ensure the long-term stability of the business and (ii) protect their dedicated team who have been integral to its success. Once Andrew and Alison found out more about the many benefits of employee ownership, they reached out to us for expert advice and guidance.

The transition to employee ownership was led by Hannah Welch, Manager and Louise Fisher, Senior Legal Manager, at Baxendale Employee Ownership. Along with, Andrew, Alison, Jodie, Neil and Tyler, Hannah and Louise designed and developed a robust governance structure tailored for the long term, and undertook the legal work needed to implement the ownership structure.

As part of the transition, Andrew stepped down from the Company Board and joined the Trust Board along with Employee Trustee Director, Dale Horsley and Independent Trustee Director, Mark Ray. For continuity, Alison remains on the Company Board, now joined by Jodie, Neil and Tyler.  Louise and Hannah not only provided training for the newly appointed Trustee Directors  and the new Company Directors but also, managed the important role of communicating the changes to the employees.

Reflecting on the transition Andrew said:

“We are proud to be able to say that the transition of the company to employee ownership enables BI to run and owned by the very people that make BI what it is. For Alison and me, an EOT is the perfect solution to secure our employees livelihoods and to look after them into the future”.