Middleton Advisors, the specialist property advisory firm founded in 2008 by Mark Parkinson and Tom Hudson, has secured its future as an independent, employee-owned business by transitioning to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
Under the new structure, 90% of Middleton Advisors is now held in trust on behalf of its employees, with the founders each retaining a 5% stake. The founders – Mark Parkinson and Tom Hudson – remain in full control of the company’s strategic direction and have no plans to exit the business. Their continued leadership ensures Middleton Advisors will retain its independence – with no external shareholders and no risk of sale to a third party – while giving employees a direct stake in the company’s success.
This change cements Middleton Advisors’ position as the prime property industry’s leading advisory firm that is both wholly independent and employee-owned, committed to preserving its culture, values, and client-first ethos.
The interests of the Middleton Advisors Employee Ownership Trust are now represented by a Trust Board – comprising Juliette Stacey, Chris Eadie, and Mark Parkinson – who provide oversight of the management team and will ensure the business is consistently run in the best interests of its stakeholders. All employees now have the opportunity to become beneficiaries of the Employee Ownership Trust, with discretionary, tax-free profit sharing as part of their remuneration.
“We founded Middleton Advisors to be independent, client-focused, and free from outside influence,” said Managing Director Mark Parkinson. “The EOT model safeguards that independence for the long term while rewarding the people who are integral to our success. Tom and I are as committed as ever to leading the business and working directly with our clients. We have always aimed to deliver sustainable, long-term growth and – after exploring a range of options – we concluded that the EOT model is the best way to achieve that moving forward. It also guarantees that Middleton remains a rewarding, engaging place to work, where everyone feels recognised and valued.”
Tom Hudson, Head of Estates & Special Projects, added: “This is a step forward for the whole business. As an independent, employee-owned company with the founders continuing at the helm, clients can be confident that our values, approach, and service will remain exactly the same. We are rare amongst prime property businesses in that we are currently actively recruiting, and we are always looking for people who share our values and culture.”