Digital marketing agency Hallam has moved to employee ownership, with 100% of the business now held in trust.
All employees who have been with the business for longer than 12 months are eligible to join as partners in the trust.
The Nottingham-based firm says that the transition marks a major step in its long-term vision to build a purpose-driven business that delivers value to people, clients and communities.
The agency, which operates across the continent, is blending brand, tech and performance marketing to drive pipeline growth.
With a core team of 45 full-time employees, it has achieved an employee Net Promoter Score of 64, placing it firmly in the ‘excellent’ category.
In line with its values as a Certified B Corporation, the company’s leadership team has taken the next step in its ‘people-first’ journey by transitioning ownership of the company to a newly established Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), which will hold the business on behalf of all employees.
“At Hallam we’re building something that matters,” said Jake Third, CEO at Hallam.
“Becoming employee-owned is a big step in our commitment to creating positive impact across people, planet, and profit.
“Unlike private equity-backed agency groups, Hallam is now majority owned by the people who do the work. That means our team has a direct stake in the business and a shared motivation to do the best possible work, day in and day out.
“It’s a structure that reflects our values as a B Corp and our belief that better businesses deliver better outcomes for everyone.”
The shift sees Third remain in position as CEO, alongside operations director Jon Martin and performance director Ben Wood, who, along with founder Susan Hallam, Mike Hallam and former CEO Julio Taylor, have sold 100% of their shares into the Trust.
Employees will now share in the financial success of the business and have a greater voice in shaping its future direction through a governance board.
Simran Harichand, paid media lead at Hallam, added: “Seeing Hallam become employee owned has boosted my confidence in the company and my loyalty to it.
“Knowing that I, alongside my colleagues, get a say in the workings of the company makes me feel represented and heard.
“It feels like we are now pulling towards a mutual goal.”