Extramile Digital Steps Into the Future as an Employee-Owned Business

Anyone who runs a business knows that it is a constant juggle, especially when you have to navigate events outside your control while maintaining growth and profitability. Just over 5 years ago, we took the biggest risk of our careers when we decided to do a management buyout for Extramile Communications. Both James and I knew that we could make it work, and it sparked the next stage of a journey for this business, started by Nick and Gabrielle our Founding Directors. Fast forward 5 and a half years, and we embark on the next chapter in our journey, transitioning the business to an Employee-Owned Business.

This transition marks an exciting milestone in our journey, securing our long-term future while celebrating the very people who make our success possible—our dedicated team.

We searched long and hard for the best option to preserve the legacy of our culture and safeguard the future of our talented workforce. As any business owner knows, succession planning is something which can get put on the back burner.  But having spent 25 years as a business consultant, it was always something I was conscious to push with my clients, and so, we have always kept it front and centre to ensure we had complete control over our destiny.

This was the right choice at the right time for Extramile Digital.

Why We Chose Employee Ownership

When planning for the next chapter of Extramile Digital, preserving our core values, independence, and workplace culture was our top priority. This business has been built on culture, and although we have had strong growth over the years, we have always been conscious of protecting our cultural values. Transitioning to an EOT allows us to build a sustainable succession plan that rewards our team’s hard work, introduces profit-sharing opportunities, reinforces our culture, and ensures decisions are always made in the best long-term interests of the business and its people.

What Is an Employee Ownership Trust?

An Employee Ownership Trust is a model where 100% of the company’s shares are held in trust for the collective benefit of everyone who works here. Instead of selling to a third-party trade buyer or private equity group, the existing owners have transferred ownership to an EOT.

While individual employees do not receive personal share certificates, everyone automatically becomes a beneficiary of the Trust for as long as they are employed with us. It is a true collective ownership designed to maintain our independence and give our team a real stake in our future success.

What This Means for Our Clients and Partners

For our valued clients, it signifies

• Complete Operational Continuity: Our Executive Leadership Team and daily management structure remain fully in place. Your key contacts, project leads, and operational structures will stay exactly as they are.
• Preserving Our Core Focus: Our strategic priorities, quality of service, and commitment to innovation remain completely unchanged.
• Enhanced Client Experience: Research consistently shows that employee-owned businesses deliver higher quality service and lower staff turnover. Because every team member now has genuine “skin in the game,” our drive to deliver exceptional results for your business is stronger than ever.

As our team takes on an “owner mindset,” we are empowering everyone with a direct voice in our corporate governance and strategic direction. Having a Trust Board in place provides a healthy approach to challenge, with stronger peer challenge and from Independent External Trustees. That is something to embrace; it makes you think differently, feeding off the suggestions which come forward, and can only foster stronger growth and collective success.

Looking Ahead

This change represents an exciting evolution for Extramile Digital. We are joining a growing group of successful employee-owned businesses across the UK that prioritise independence, team happiness, and client excellence.

We want to thank all of our clients, partners, and team members who have supported us along the way. We are looking forward to building an even brighter, shared future together.