We have exciting news: Barley Communications is now a majority employee-owned company, following the sale of 80% of the shares held by the agency’s founders, James Ford and Sam Williams, to an employee ownership trust (EOT). Ford and Williams have each retained a 10% shareholding and both take up the role of co-CEO.
The new ownership structure means that Barley will now be run for the benefit of its people, whilst maintaining our commitment to social purpose communications which bring about a positive impact on society and the environment.
We are very proud of the agency we have been building since Barley started six years ago, thanks in no small part to our tremendously talented team and wonderful clients. This new structure presents an opportunity to build on this foundation, maintaining Barley’s independence and values, so we can continue to work with clients who are making a positive difference, whilst giving our people increased opportunity to help shape the direction of the agency as we move forward
The move to this EOT model will see our existing directors take on new responsibilities within the updated structure:
- James McCollum has been appointed as company director for Barley’s operating company, alongside the founders
- Adam Gavshon Brady has been appointed the employee trustee for the new employee ownership trust, alongside Sam Williams and new independent trustee Sally Rhodes
- Laura Harrison will head up new employee and freelancer forums
The new structure will not give rise to any change in existing client teams and all of Barley’s senior team remain committed to delivering high quality communication that matters.
James Ford, co-CEO of Barley, said: “We are very proud of the agency we have built since we started six years ago, thanks in no small part to our tremendously talented team and wonderful clients. The new structure presents an opportunity to build on this foundation, maintaining Barley’s independence and values, whilst giving our people increased opportunity to shape the direction of the agency as we move forward.”
Sam Williams, co-CEO of Barley, said: “The year to March 2022 was a game-changer for Barley as we doubled our annual revenue, and we’re thrilled to support even more organisations with their important work as a further eight new clients have chosen to come to Barley in the last six months. With so much of our growth coming via recommendations from happy clients, the move to employee ownership feels like the right step to protect and grow everything we’ve worked hard to create here at Barley.”