On this page

  1. What trustees ARE responsible for
  2. What trustees are NOT responsible for
  3. Types of trustees (and what each brings)
  4. 1. Employee trustee
  5. 2. Founder/Director trustee
  6. 3. Independent trustee

Trustees in an EOT do not manage the day-to-day running of the business. But they do oversee the business, making sure it's being run well and stays true to its purpose as an employee owned company. So, what does the role actually involve?

What trustees ARE responsible for

  • Acting in the best interests of the business and all its employees.
  • Holding the directors of the trading company to account.
  • Ensuring the company is being run sustainably and in line with its purpose.
  • Approving big decisions – purchasing a building or acquiring another business will often require trustee approval.
  • Approving governance matters – like appointing new directors.

What trustees are NOT responsible for

  • Making day-to-day decisions or managing the trading company.
  • Getting involved in HR matters or individual staff issues.
  • Replacing or duplicating the role of the leadership team.

Types of trustees (and what each brings)

It’s important to bring a range of perspectives, opinions and voices into the trustee board of the EOT. Here’s what their job descriptions might look like.

1. Employee trustee

Purpose: To represent the interests of all employees and ensure their voice is heard in the governance of the business.

Key responsibilities

  • Attend trustee meetings and participate in decision making.
  • Communicate key issues back to the employees.
  • Champion employee perspectives in discussions.
  • Participate in governance decisions, including, if necessary, reviewing directors’ performance.

What they bring

  • On-the-ground understanding of the day-to-day business.
  • Peer trust and credibility.
  • A unique view of how decisions affect the wider team.
  • Ability to flag concerns early from the workforce.
Whilst the first employee trustee may be selected by the founder, in the longer term the employee trustee should be selected through a transparent, democratic process. They may benefit from induction or mentoring to support confidence.

2. Founder/Director trustee

Purpose: To provide continuity, business knowledge, and support a smooth transition from founder-led to employee ownership.

Key responsibilities

  • Share historical context and long-term goals.
  • Help embed EO principles into existing structures.
  • Participate in trustee decision making while stepping back.

What they bring

  • Deep knowledge of the company’s origins and purpose.
  • Strategic continuity during early EO years.
  • Practical insight into business operations.
This trustee supports the business during this period of change and helps ensure continuity. Under the legal agreements Go EO uses, the founder has the right to remain a trustee until they’ve been fully paid. While they’re no longer in control, this gives them a meaningful voice during the transition.

3. Independent trustee

Purpose: To offer an impartial, external viewpoint that helps the board make balanced and fair decisions.

Key responsibilities

  • Provide independent oversight of trading company performance.
  • Act as a neutral moderator in trustee discussions.
  • Support employee trustee development where needed.

What they bring

  • Governance and business experience.
  • Objectivity and credibility.
  • A sounding board for both employee and director trustees.
  • Often more experience of EOTs.
This trustee brings an important perspective to the board, not just on day one, but as the business grows and matures.

Being a trustee isn’t about power – it’s about being a custodian. Trustees are there to make sure the business is run in a way that benefits its people, long into the future.