Yorkshire-based Sewell Estates announces 25 per cent emoloyee ownership

The group say the move will mean employees have a greater say in how the business is run and the potential to share in any company profits.

Paul Sewell said: “I have always believed in employee ownership – that employees make or break a company

and should have a greater stake than just salary and bonus can provide. They should feed into the strategic concept of a company, its sustainability and overall value.

“My shareholding in the business began back in 1986 with a 25 per cent stake in what was F Sewell & Son. It gave me a degree of security; I felt that I’d be able to make a difference, be appreciated and have a voice. That’s what I wanted for myself back then, and what I’ve long wanted for the people who work across the group now.

“People across our business have always had a voice, but the introduction of an employee ownership trust will formalise this and give our people even more autonomy, freedom to make decisions and directly feed into the governance of the group

Mr Sewell will continue to Chair the group and business operations will remain unchanged, with Jo Barnes, Sewell Estates managing director, continuing to steer the leadership team in place to manage the business alongside the existing governance structure.

People from across the group’s businesses will be represented on a Co-Owner Council created to share employee voices and ideas for taking the business forward. The will feed into the Trust Board who will govern the interests of the staff, with an independent chair, Deb Oxley OBE.