Yorkshire firm The SEO Works Ltd has become an Employee Ownership Trust.
The Sheffield-based firm, which also has offices in Leeds and London, is an award-winning digital marketing agency specialising in SEO, PPC, digital PR, paid social, and web development. Since its founding in 2009, The SEO Works has expanded into a team of over 80 digital experts, helping businesses across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ enhance their online presence and customer acquisition.
Finance group Shawbrook has provided a multi-million pound loan facility to support the EOT transition. The move passes ownership of the firm from founders Neil Palmer and Simon Margetts to its workforce, with the company saying the transition reinforced its values around people, purpose and sustainable growth.
CEO Ben Foster said: “Transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust is a significant milestone for our business, ensuring that our team has a greater stake in our future success.
"Shawbrook’s expertise in supporting businesses through this transition, combined with their flexible approach and deep understanding of our needs, made them the ideal partner for this journey. Their commitment to building strong relationships has been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our growth with their support.â€
Tony Dean, senior director for corporate leverage at Shawbrook, said: “We are delighted to support The SEO Works Ltd in their transition to an Employee Ownership Trust. The business has a strong management team with a clear vision for the future, and we admire their ambition to give employees a greater share in the strategic direction of the company.
“The SEO Works Ltd is a well-established leader in its market, and we are excited to see how they continue to evolve under this new structure.â€
Shawbrook was assisted by Rob Fawke at Gunnercooke on legal matters, while Matt Beckley of and his team at DJH acted as the due diligence provider for the transaction.
