Tech PR firm Napier now employee owned

Published by

Stephen Emerson

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Chicester PR firm Napier has been the subject of an Employee Ownership Trust.

Employees of the firm have taken a controlling 70% stake in the company from the end of June. The management team retain the remaining 30% of shares.

Previous owner and founder of the firm, Mike Maynard, described the development as: “The start of what I think is going to be the most exciting time in our company history.”

The international B2B tech PR and marketing agency has a strong client list, which among many others boasts Nokia and Airbus.

Mr. Maynard continued: “Employee ownership preserves Napier’s culture and values. Employee ownership means there is a great reason for our talented team to stay at Napier.

“The UK Government is very supportive of employee ownership. So the bonuses paid by the Employee Ownership Trust are tax-free (up to a certain level). This makes it even more rewarding for the team.”

Looking to the future Mr. Maynard said: “Having the ownership through an EOT gives the team more opportunity to influence company strategy and direction. It also ensures that the company will remain independent.”

Mr Maynard will remain at the helm of Napier, quipping “I welcome my new employee overlords.”

Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset. Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users. He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.