Leading IT business, Exmos, now owned by its employees

Exmos founder, Gordon Coulter, decided to sell a 60% stake to an Employee Ownership Trust as a way to reward the loyal team, and preserve the company’s reputation as an innovative, customer driven business.

The company is based in Grangemouth and works across more than 100 sites across the world. Recognised as leading specialists in Business Continuity, Cybersecurity and Co managed IT support, Exmos provides “Pain Free IT” allowing customers to focus on improving and growing their businesses.

Gordon first heard of employee ownership while participating in the Growth Advantage Programme at Strathclyde Business School.  Two entrepreneurs attending, Ian Hutchison of Merlin ERD and Robin Smith of 4C Design had pursued this route with good results. Gordon decided to explore the option.

Gordon got in touch with Ownership Associates who worked with him and his management team to decide the most appropriate model and manage the transition process.  The plans were announced to staff early on in the project and the idea of an employee owned structure was very well received.

Joe McDougall, Technical Team Lead, was elected by his colleagues to sit on the Employee Ownership Trust.  He says. “Exmos is a brilliant place to work and we have a great team.  Now that we are employee-owned, the success of the company is in our hands. We are so grateful to Gordon for having the vision to give us this opportunity.”

Gordon plans to remain with Exmos and the company has ambitious plans to develop their offer to clients. He believes he made the right decision and found the process relatively straightforward. He says: “The combination of Carole and Alistair bring a wealth of employee ownership knowledge and importantly, real-wold experience to the table. From helping you and your employees to understand what it’s all about, arriving at a fair valuation for your company, taking you through the legal processes and ultimately, helping you, the founder, be comfortable with what you’re doing, they have you covered.

It was just great to link up again with the Employee Ownership team of Anderson Strathern and also with Dougie Rae of EQ Accountants. Scottish Enterprise provided grant funding for the project.