What is an EOT company?
Firstly, let’s talk about what an EOT is:
An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is a structure wherein employees own a controlling stake in the company they work for. This usually occurs when the owners of a business elect to sell their shares, but not to a third party. Instead, they sell their controlling share to an ‘employee-owned trust’, which acts in the interest of existing employees. In terms of our business, this means RBH owns 100% of RBH.
The result of this is a business powered by its own people. There is a tangible, data-backed link between our individual performance and the wider performance of our company, which directly affects our take-home. Essentially, when we do well, we do well. You can imagine how powerful a motivator that is.
What are the benefits of working with an EOT business?
You’re always speaking to a stakeholder. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone not enthused about working with you at RBH. Studies have shown that employees at EOT companies produce more success for their clients by being more invested in their work. The same studies seem to suggest that we’re happier too – go figure.
Furthermore, it shows our aptitude for collaboration. Because, more than anything, being part of an EOT means working collectively to make decisions about a shared future. We employees regularly get together to discuss our differing thoughts on processes, resources and current goings-on. And despite nearly 50 unique voices we walk out of those meetings with agreed practical solutions.
Why did RBH become an EOT business?
RBH became an EOT in 2025 thanks to Debra Hepburn and Tim Rees, our co-founders and original owners. If you’re curious as to the motivations behind their radical, people-first decision in passing the reins, you’ll be glad to know that they’ve recorded a podcast explaining the whole thing.
To watch the podcast and hear the full story of RBH as told by our founders, click here: https://rbh.co.uk/employee-ownership-trust/
