Cwmpas supports Orchard Media and Events Group to transition to Employee Ownership Trust

Cwmpas is delighted that, following support from Cwmpas and partners, the award-winning Cardiff-based Orchard Media and Events Group has successfully transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust.

Orchard Media has provided creative communication services to high profile clients including Admiral Group, Netflix, BBC, Aston Martin, Qatar Airlines for 14 years.

Cwmpas is the UK’s largest co-operative development agency, and delivers Welsh Government-funded advice and support aimed at changing the way our economy and society works.

Employee Ownership (EO) is one of the fastest growing business models in the UK, boosting business resilience and profitability, and ensuring community and employee commitment.

The Welsh Government has committed to doubling the number of employee-owned businesses in Wales by the end of this Senedd term. Through the hard work of our small Cwmpas employee ownership team, this target has been achieved two years ahead of schedule.

Cwmpas Business Consultant Paul Cantrill worked closely with Orchard, delivering fully-funded, specialist advice and support through the Employee Ownership Wales service, funded by Welsh Government.

Transitioning to a new business model is a huge decision, but the Cwmpas Employee Ownership team is highly experienced in managing the whole process.

Commenting on the transition, Paul Cantrill said:

“It has been a pleasure to advise and partner with Orchard Media during their transition to the employee ownership model and to work alongside specialist Tax Partners at Geldards to get the ownership transfer in place.

Employee ownership can have a big impact on business sustainability, giving tangible benefits to hard-working employees, and keeping wealth within communities.”

On Employee Ownership Day in June this year, Jeremy Miles, then Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language, said:

“Employee ownership delivers numerous benefits for employees and businesses alike, with evidence showing employee-owned businesses are more productive and more resilient. These are places rooted in their communities, providing quality, long-term jobs for the local area.

“Traditionally, only two to three employee buyout deals have taken place each year in Wales, but this model has grown substantially over the past few years. Achieving 74 such businesses in Wales is a fantastic achievement and I look forward to seeing more in the coming years.”

Find out more about the Cwmpas Employee Ownership team here.