Artichoke

Established more than 30 years ago in Somerset, Artichoke creates exceptional bespoke, handcrafted architectural joinery for a worldwide client base. For founders Bruce and Tess Hodgson, this was more than a transaction – it was an emotional decision about legacy, protecting their employees, craftsmanship, culture and the reputation they had built over decades.

As they looked ahead to retirement, Bruce and Tess wanted Artichoke to thrive whilst preserving its independence, standards and ethos. Employee ownership provided this path, placing the company’s future in the hands of the designers, makers and wider team behind its success. Avondale was chosen to provide valuation, sale structure, EOT strategy, tax, finance and family wealth planning with sensitivity to the founders’ personal aims.

The EOT marks a proud milestone for Artichoke, protecting its independence, investing in the next generation, and giving the team a direct stake in the future that they are building. Avondale helped turn that ambition into a practical structure balancing value, continuity, culture and long-term stewardship.

“We first discovered Avondale through a YouTube video in which Kevin Uphill explained the principles of an EOT and the challenges of moving a business from founder ownership to employee ownership. We had tried to become an EOT five years earlier without success, so Kevin’s explanation really resonated with us. It was clear that he had a wealth of practical, real-world experience and understood both the technical detail and the human side of the process.

Avondale offered a complete, joined-up service that made the whole sale process feel smooth and well managed. Their consultants brought genuine EOT expertise and worked together as an established, efficient team, which gave us real confidence throughout.”

Bruce & Tess Hodgson, Artichoke