Camargue transitions to employee ownership

Award-winning communications consultancy Camargue is now an employee-owned trust, taking the future into their own hands thanks to a deal brokered by Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ (HCR) Corporate team and Hazlewoods Accountants and Business Advisers.

The teams, led by Tim Ward (HCR) and Tom Woodcock (Hazlewoods) respectively, worked to help the Cheltenham-based agency transition seamlessly to employee ownership – one of the most famous examples of which is the John Lewis Partnership.

Such trusts allow each and every employee to have both a financial stake in the business and a voice when it comes to how their company is run – giving them greater freedom when making decisions about their future. Six new directors have been appointed, with Director Ben Copithorne becoming Managing Director in the New Year.

Camargue’s current Managing Director Jo Lloyd, who will shortly assume the role of Chair, said: “Throughout our journey to becoming employee owned, Harrison Clark Rickerbys and Hazlewoods provided superb technical support across all the legal, financial and fiscal elements of what we were doing. They were also excellent sounding boards and advisors on the hugely important cultural and human aspects of employee ownership.”

HCR’s Head of Corporate in Cheltenham, Tim Ward, said: “In such uncertain times, this is truly a good news story. Employees are at the heart of every business – having the chance to make a real difference to their own futures as well as that of the business they work for cannot be underestimated. Being part of a new chapter in Camargue’s story is really heartening. I wish them the very best for the future.”

Tom Woodcock, Hazlewoods Partner, added: “Employee-owned businesses are reportedly the fastest growing form of business ownership in the UK despite the model still being relatively unknown. Employee ownership can be a great model for a variety of reasons, including those looking for fast-paced growth, and we look forward to seeing Camargue flourish under their new structure.”

Harrison Clark Rickerbys has more than 800 staff and partners based at offices in Cheltenham, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Central England, Hereford, London, Thames Valley, Worcester and the Wye Valley, providing a complete spectrum of legal services to both business and private clients regionally and nationwide.

The firm has global reach via its network of independent law firms, LawExchange International. It also has a number of highly successful teams specialising in individual sectors, including health and social care, education, technology, agricultural and rural affairs, finance and financial services, defence, security and the forces, and construction.