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South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Number of employee-owned businesses in Wales nears 100
As of now, 95 businesses in the country are employee-owned, surpassing the Welsh Government's target of reaching 74 by 2026. The announcement comes on Employee Ownership Day, celebrated for highlighting the advantages of businesses owned by their employees. Research indicates that such businesses are particularly successful, with employees showing increased engagement and commitment. The commercial benefits of this model are proving increasingly appealing to entrepreneurs, who see it as a way to attract and reward talented employees, while also fuelling business growth. One business that has transitioned to employee ownership is Cambrian Training Group. The Welshpool company, a leading provider of apprenticeship and vocational training across the country, celebrated 30 years in business by becoming employee owned earlier this year. The company was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Mid Wales Tourism to deliver vocational and hospitality skills as part of the development of the region's tourism sector. It now employs 65 staff and has expanded its work-based learning, skills and apprenticeship programmes into a range of other sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Arwyn Watkins OBE, of Cambrian Training Group, said: "Securing Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) status is a significant step in our journey. "Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and this move ensures that they have a direct stake in our continued success. "The decision to move towards an EOT rather than opting for a trade sale was motivated by the desire to sustain the company's culture, values, and commitment to quality over the long term." Welsh Government's Business Wales and Social Business Wales service offers specialist advice to support such employee buy outs. The services offer fully funded and bespoke help to business owners contemplating employee ownership and share schemes. Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said: "By improving employee well-being and job satisfaction, the employee-ownership model plays a key part in strengthening the foundations on which every successful business is built. "I urge more businesses to explore the benefits on offer via Business Wales and Social Business Wales, to ensure Wales-based companies remain in Welsh hands."
Business News Wales
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Number of Employee-Owned Businesses in Wales Nears 100
The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales is now approaching 100 – exceeding a Welsh Government pledge to get to 74 by 2026. The Welsh Government's Business Wales and Social Business Wales service offers specialist advice to support employee buy outs, with fully funded and bespoke help available to help business owners decide if employee ownership and share schemes are the right solution for their business. The number of employee-owned businesses in Wales now stands at 95, exceeding the Programme for Government commitment to double the number in Wales and reach 74 by 2026. Research shows that employee-owned businesses perform particularly strongly, with employees demonstrating greater engagement and commitment. The commercial benefits are also becoming increasingly popular with entrepreneurs creating new businesses to help attract and reward talented employees and drive business growth. One company to receive support is Cambrian Training Group, a leading provider of apprenticeship and vocational training across Wales. The Welshpool company, which marked 30 years of business by becoming employee owned earlier this year, was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Mid Wales Tourism to deliver vocational and hospitality skills as part of the development of the region's tourism sector. It now employs 65 staff and has expanded its work-based learning, skills and apprenticeship programmes into a range of other sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Arwyn Watkins OBE, of Cambrian Training Group, said: 'Securing Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) status is a significant step in our journey. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and this move ensures that they have a direct stake in our continued success. 'The decision to move towards an EOT rather than opting for a trade sale was motivated by the desire to sustain the company's culture, values, and commitment to quality over the long term.' The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'By improving employee well-being and job satisfaction, the employee-ownership model plays a key part in strengthening the foundations on which every successful business is built. 'It's proven benefits include giving employees more control over their own destiny, and providing business owners with the peace of mind that that the future of their business is in safe hands, and that the future of their highly valued employees has been safeguarded in the community the business was fostered in. 'I urge more businesses to explore the benefits on offer via Business Wales and Social Business Wales, to ensure Wales-based companies remain in Welsh hands.'
