Sladen Consulting

sold to Employee Ownership Trust

INDUSTRY

Leadership Consultancy

Avondale advised Sladen Consulting Limited, a leadership consultancy for healthcare and pharmaceutical organisations, on its sale to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The transaction enabled shareholders Richard Colley and Julie Colley to secure succession, preserve Sladen Consulting’s culture and independence, and create a future that rewards employees.

The Challenge

Sladen Consulting wanted an exit strategy that kept the business with the people who had helped build it. The shareholders wanted to:

Preserve the company’s culture and legacy.
Reward employees and maintain continuity for clients.
Provide a clear transition for the trusted leadership team.

An Employee Ownership Trust emerged as the preferred succession route.

The Solution

Avondale designed and managed the Employee Ownership Trust transaction, including:

Valuation and affordability modelling.
HMRC clearance preparation.
Trustee selection and onboarding.
Transaction structuring and coordination.
Legal review, execution support, training and post-completion planning.

Avondale managed the process as one coordinated project, helping deliver an efficient transaction aligned with the shareholders’ succession objectives and the long-term interests of employees.

The Outcome

Sladen Consulting is now employee-owned, with an independent future, stronger employee engagement and a platform for continuity and growth.

Why an Employee Ownership Trust?

The EOT offered four key benefits:

Long-Term Business Continuity: Secured the business’s future while preserving independence.
Recognition of Employees: Enabled employees to share in future success.
Management Transition: Allowed shareholders to step back as management took day-to-day responsibility.
Sale at Full Market Value: Enabled the shareholders to realise full market value while maintaining continuity.

Considering an Employee Ownership Trust?

Whether you are planning for succession, looking to preserve your company’s culture or seeking to reward the people who helped build your business, Avondale can guide you through every stage of the process. Contact our team to explore whether an EOT could be the right solution for your business.