We are proud to announce that our client, Cashel Travel, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading Destination Management Company has successfully transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

The move marks a significant milestone for the award-winning travel business, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and signals the start of a new and ambitious chapter built on long-term independence and shared success.

Founder and CEO James Aitken described the transition as both a landmark achievement and a powerful statement of intent:

“Cashel Travel has always been powered by its people. This structure ensures the team who built our success now shares directly in it. An Employee Ownership Trust allows us to secure long-term independence, protect jobs, and preserve the ethos that defines our business. Marta and I remain fully committed and continue to lead the company.”

He continued:

“Over the years, we’ve been approached several times by potential buyers, but selling to a third party was never the right choice. An Employee Ownership Trust allows us to secure the long-term future of the business, protect the jobs of our talented team, and preserve the ethos and integrity that make Cashel Travel Group what it is.”

The transition took place in November 2025 with the Cashel Travel Employee Ownership Trust owning 100% of the Cashel Travel Group, giving the employees a meaningful stake in group’s continued successes.

The transition was led by Hannah Welch, Senior Manager, and Louise Fisher, Senior Legal Manager. The process began with a feasibility study funded by Co-operative Development Scotland.

Working closely with James Aitken and Marta Kucharczyk, the team designed a robust, future-focused governance structure tailored to the group’s long-term ambitions. Alongside managing the legal implementation, they provided training for newly appointed trustee directors and supported with employee communications to ensure a smooth transition.

There are two Employee Trustee Directors on the Cashel Travel Employee Ownership representing the employee group, along with three other Trustee Directors. The Trust is chaired by Independent Trustee Director Ashley Jones, who is widely respected within the travel sector.

Gordon Rigby, who is the Finance Director for the Group and also a Trustee Director, describes the move as transformative:

“Becoming employee-owned is about ownership in every sense — responsibility, pride, and opportunity. It’s about rewarding the people who make Cashel Travel what it is and ensuring our success benefits everyone involved. The leadership team remains unchanged, and we continue to move forward with the same energy, creativity, and ambition that have always defined Cashel Travel Group.”

On behalf of the team at Baxendale Employee Ownership, we’d like to wish everyone at Cashel Travel Group a successful future in employee ownership.