Staff take the lead at Sheffield agency

A Sheffield-based digital agency has handed ownership to its team.

The SEO Works, which offers SEO, PPC, digital PR, social media and web services, has transitioned to an employee-owned business through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). 

The move sees the company’s founders transfer ownership to staff, creating a new ownership model intended to secure its future and maintain independence.

Described as “the next step in its mission”, the switch aims to reward staff and reflect the ethos of the business.

Ben Foster, chief executive of The SEO Works, said: “I’m incredibly excited by this development. 

“Our transition to being employee-owned is the perfect evolution, reflecting who we’ve always been – a business driven by its people.

“Across the last 16 years, we’ve grown from an exciting local start-up to one of the leading digital growth agencies in the North – all thanks to our team of experts. 

“Our future as an agency has always been in their hands, but now it’s official.”

Founded in 2009 by Neil Palmer and Simon Margetts, the agency has grown to more than 80 employees and is known for its focus on responsible growth and investing in culture. 

James Corry, managing director of The SEO Works, added: “For us, an EOT was the obvious choice.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here as a team, and of the brilliant service we deliver to our clients. 

“This transition allows us to retain that, whilst bolstering the very thing that makes us so great – our culture.

"This is a very exciting step and gives a genuine stake in the business to all of our brilliant team members!”

The transition was supported by Shawbrook Bank and law firm Brabners LLP.

Anthony Dean, senior director at Shawbrook Corporate Leverage, added: “We are delighted to support The SEO Works Ltd in their transition to an EOT. 

“The business has a strong management team with a clear vision for the future, and we admire their ambition to give employees a greater share in the strategic direction of the company. 

“The SEO Works Ltd is a well-established leader in its market, and we are excited to see how they continue to evolve under this new structure.”

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