News

Shawbrook backs SEO Works’ move to employee ownership

Share

Specialist lender Shawbrook has provided a seven-figure Corporate Leverage Loan to support the transition of leading digital marketing agency The SEO Works Ltd into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

Founded in 2009, The SEO Works Ltd has grown into an award-winning agency known for delivering measurable results across SEO, PPC, digital PR, paid social, and web development. The move to employee ownership aims to align the company’s future with the contributions and ambitions of its workforce.

Ben Foster, CEO at The SEO Works Ltd, hailed the transaction as a transformative milestone: “Transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust is a significant milestone for our business, ensuring that our team has a greater stake in our future success.

“Shawbrook’s expertise in supporting businesses through this transition, combined with their flexible approach and deep understanding of our needs, made them the ideal partner for this journey. Their commitment to building strong relationships has been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our growth with their support.”

Shawbrook’s Corporate Leverage team, led by Tony Dean, structured the bespoke facility to support the agency’s ownership transition and its ongoing strategic goals.

“We are delighted to support The SEO Works Ltd in their transition to an Employee Ownership Trust,” said Dean. “The business has a strong management team with a clear vision for the future, and we admire their ambition to give employees a greater share in the strategic direction of the company. The SEO Works Ltd is a well-established leader in its market, and we are excited to see how they continue to evolve under this new structure.”

Legal support for the transaction was provided by Rob Fawke at Gunnercooke, with Matt Beckley and his team at DJH acting as due diligence advisors.