Alternative Exit #39 | The Power of EOTs: Creating 3,500 Employee Owners with Christian Wilson

Alternative Exit

What does it really take to transition a business to employee ownership—and what happens after you sign on the dotted line? In this episode, I sit down with Christian Wilson, a specialist solicitor with over 25 years of experience in business law and employee ownership. Christian has helped more than 62 companies transition to Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs), creating 3,500 employee owners across businesses valued at over £450 million. He shares the legal, emotional, and practical realities of making employee ownership work.

Timestamps:

00:01:12 Christian's Journey into Employee Ownership Law
00:04:36 What Makes a Company Right for an EOT
00:08:12 The Three Parts of an EOT Transition
00:12:29 Valuation, Affordability, and the Retirement Conversation
00:19:13 Life After Completion: The Real Work Begins
00:23:23 Why Open Book Management Matters
00:27:07 Giving Employees a Voice and Influence
00:34:23 Success Stories: Real Examples from EOT Companies
00:38:58 Quickfire Round: Leaders, Resources, and Advice

Key Takeaways:

• Employee ownership transitions involve three journeys: legal structure, personal succession for the owner, and cultural evolution for the team
• Valuation and affordability are different—the company funds the purchase through future profits over 6-10 years typically
• The day you complete the EOT is day one of being employee owned, not the finish line
• Open book management unlocks entrepreneurial thinking and helps employees understand business trade-offs
• Employee voice must be matched with responsive leadership—ask for feedback, then show how you've considered it
• Well-structured EOTs include flexibility for market changes and unexpected challenges

About Christian Wilson:

Christian Wilson is a Partner Solicitor at Spencer West LLP, specializing in Employee Ownership Trusts and business succession. With over 25 years of experience, he has guided more than 62 companies through successful transitions to employee ownership, creating 3,500 employee owners with a combined business value exceeding £450 million. Christian is ranked as a Leading Individual in Legal 500 and a Notable Practitioner in Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession. He is also a member of the Employee Ownership Association, an independent trustee for several EOTs, and was previously a non-executive director of the Eden Project. Christian is known for his genuine passion for employee ownership and his ability to make complex legal processes accessible and seamless.

Connect with Christian Wilson:

Website: https://employee-ownership-trusts.co.uk
Spencer West Profile: https://www.spencer-west.com/team/christian-wilson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-wilson-a3597017/
Email: [email protected]

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
Instagram - https://instagram.com/andyfarq
Website - https://abettermonday.me/
Email - [email protected]