EOT adviser in Derbyshire

Chris Ash – Ash Consulting

Chris Ash is a business owner, entrepreneur and adviser with two decades of experience building, selling and investing in companies. Now focused on employee ownership, Chris works with business owners and leaders at every stage of the EO journey — from early conversations about whether it's the right path, through to transition, governance and long-term success.

EOT transaction experience

Chris brings rare first-hand insight to his advisory work: he has successfully transitioned his own business into employee ownership, giving him a founder's perspective on what the process genuinely involves. He has since supported numerous other businesses through their EOT transitions. He also serves as Independent Chair and Trustee for several employee-owned businesses, providing ongoing governance support post-completion.

EOT expertise

Chris offers end-to-end support across the EOT process, including early strategic advice and pre-transaction planning EOT structure recommendations and valuation support. He also provides dedicated support for employees and shareholders both before and after a transaction completes, helping everyone involved understand what the change means for them and how to make the most of it.

How Chris works with Go EO

Chris works alongside Go EO to support founders through the full EOT process. Go EO manages the technical transaction, the valuation, legal documentation, tax clearance and trust registration. Chris's role focuses on the strategic and cultural dimensions: preparing businesses and their leadership teams for the transition and supporting them to thrive in their new structure.

What is an Employee Ownership Trust?

An Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is an exit route that transfers a business owner's shares to a trust held on behalf of employees, rather than selling to a trade buyer or investor. The business repays the founder from future profits and employees benefit from profit share is there is any remaining. The company remains independent, with its culture and values intact.

It's a way of stepping back without selling out.

Why sell to an EOT?

Many founders spend years building a business with a distinct identity, culture and way of doing things. An EOT is one of the few exit routes that actively protects all of that. Unlike a trade sale (where the buyer may have very different ideas about how the business should run), an EOT keeps control within the organisation. The business stays independent. The team stays together. The culture you worked to create has a genuine chance of carrying forward.

Capital Gains Tax relief of up to 50% of sale proceeds is available for qualifying EOT transactions, making it financially attractive too.