Brabners helps recruitment agency become employee owned

By Brabners LLP

28 Aug 2024

TRG team.jpg.jpg

A London based recruitment agency which specialises in technology-focused roles has been purchased by its 23 staff through the establishment of an Employee Ownership Trust.

Total Recruitment Specialists, trading as TRG, was established in 2005 and has worked for a wide range of clients including a number of large financial services organisations such as AIG, Lloyds Bank and Tandem Bank.

It has been sold by founder and majority shareholder Phill Bateman, as well as a number of minority employee shareholders, to the trust, which now owns 100 per cent of the company.

The purchase has been financed through a combination of company reserves and deferred consideration and the trust will be governed by a trustee board which will include Phill, independent director Paul Sharpe and also a staff representative.

Phill will also continue to support the company’s day-to-day operations on a temporary basis.

Phill Bateman, founder and director, TRG, said: “Completing our transition to being employee owned is a huge moment in our existence. While nothing changes operationally for our clients and partners, the EOT model enables us to impact the lives of everyone working for the company for the better, including future new recruits, as they will benefit from our profits.

“While I will remain in the company for the time being, our next goal is to develop a succession plan and I will then eventually leave. I’m excited to help build the company’s future with an ownership structure that safeguards it for the coming generations.”

The deal was supported by the corporate team at the Lancashire office of independent law firm Brabners, which advised on a number of areas of the project for TRG including the establishment of the Employee Ownership Trust, as well as matters related to enterprise management scheme (EMI) share options of several staff.

Brabners’ team was led by Mairead Platt, senior associate who worked alongside Danielle Phillips, solicitor. Accountancy and tax advice was provided by Dean Curtis and Patrick Wilson from Beever and Struthers.

Mairead Platt, senior associate, Brabners said: “Employee ownership is a particularly popular route for recruitment businesses because it is a sector where employees are a vital asset of the business.

“The EOT structure allows founders and owners to exit a business in a way which benefits them and the business, while providing certainty about its future governance in the hands of those who often know a company best – it’s employees.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Phill and the team to secure a deal which maximises the benefits for all parties involved.”

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin