Employee Ownership at BFY Group
Why an EOT
Why an EOT?
In 2025, BFY Group took a major step in its journey by becoming an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
This move secures our long-term independence, strengthens our culture, and ensures that the people who drive our success have a meaningful voice in our future.
It reflects the way we work: open, collaborative, and team-first.
Employee ownership helps us protect what makes BFY different, while giving every team member a real stake in what we’re building together.
It’s a model that supports long-term thinking, shared success, and a business that puts people at its core.
About Our EOT
What is an Employee Ownership Trust?
Put simply, it means BFY is owned by the people who work here.
An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) holds a majority stake in the company on behalf of all employees. No one owns personal shares, and no one needs to buy in. It’s a collective model where every team member has a real stake in BFY’s long-term success.
The trust is overseen by a small group of Trustee Directors who help make sure decisions stay aligned with our values and that we continue to build the kind of business our people believe in.
We’ve always believed our strength comes from our people, and this structure puts them at the heart of our future.
Ian Barker
Managing Partner
Why we made the change
BFY has always been focused on building something lasting. A company that delivers real results for clients and remains a Great Place to Work.
Becoming employee-owned helps us:
- Secure our long-term independence
- Stay true to our values and culture
- Put employees at the centre of our future
- Grow sustainably and responsibly
- Continue to deliver high-impact work for clients
It reflects what matters most to us: protecting what we’ve built, rewarding the people behind it, and creating the right conditions for long-term success.
How it works in practice
How the EOT works at BFY
- Day-to-day operations: Still led by the Leadership Team.
- Employee Ownership Trust: Holds a majority stake in BFY on behalf of all employees.
- Trustee Board: Made up of 3 Trustee Directors who:
- Represent employees
- Make sure decisions reflect long-term employee interests
- Keep the business true to its values
Employees don’t hold personal shares or make financial investments, they’re part of a collective ownership model, with a stronger voice in the direction of the business.
Employee insights
What does EOT mean for you?
As a Director on the EOT board, my focus is on helping our teams play an even more active role in shaping BFY’s growth and long-term direction. This transition gives everyone a meaningful stake in the future of the business, and we’re committed to making sure our people remain at the heart of the decisions we make. Rachel Littlewood Director & Trustee on the EOT board
BFY have encouraged me to recognise my natural strengths... and shown me how to maximise the benefits of these skills, using them to deliver tangible benefits for my projects and the business as a whole
Ed Breslin
Manager
Working at BFY
Ed’s Journey: Opportunity, Ownership, and Impact
At BFY, employee ownership shows up in how we work, how we grow, and how we support each other.
Take Ed for example: he joined us from industry and has since taken on leadership roles, shaped his own development journey, and helped grow the business.
Now, as a Manager and part of the team that delivers high-impact work for our clients, Ed’s experience reflects the kind of trust and opportunity that employee ownership is built to support.