Hawsons Advises Pest Control Supermarket.com on Transition to Employee Ownership

Hawsons Corporate Finance had the pleasure of supporting Pest Control Supermarket.com through their transition to an Employee Ownership Trust.

10.01.2025: Hawsons has advised Pest Control Supermarket.com (PCS) on its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), supporting the business through every stage of the process to ensure a seamless transition and a structure that secures long-term sustainability.

PCS, a leading online supplier of pest control products, undertook this transition to strengthen its future while ensuring continuity for employees and customers. As part of the process, Hawsons also advised on a group reorganisation to ensure the business was structured appropriately before the EOT transaction.

Jack Ware, Corporate Finance Director at Hawsons, commented:
"Helping businesses transition to employee ownership requires careful planning to ensure the structure is right for the company and its employees. Every transaction is different, and it was important that this transition not only met the company’s commercial needs but also provided a strong foundation for future growth. It has been a pleasure working with the PCS team to put the right framework in place. PCS is a great Sheffield based business that has successfully implemented a growth strategy over recent years and has plans for further growth under its new ownership model. With more businesses exploring EOTs as a succession option, having experienced guidance through the process is crucial."

Allister Ashmore, Managing Director, PCS added:
"Transitioning to an EOT was a strategic decision to safeguard the future of the business, ensuring our employees have a real stake in its ongoing success. As a business with strong roots in Sheffield, ensuring local jobs and the long-term stability of PCS were key considerations in this transition. Hawsons’ guidance was invaluable in helping us navigate the process efficiently and structure the transition to support long-term stability.

Hawsons’ Corporate Finance Director, Jack Ware, primarily managed the entire process for us. Not only has Jack done an absolutely fantastic job, but he's been a genuine pleasure to work with, always making himself available and quick to respond to any questions, many of which were frequently asked and responded to outside of office hours. We really couldn't be happier with the service provided by Jack, Peter Wilmer and all of the team at Hawsons"

Legal aspects of the transaction were managed by Peter Turk and Michael Hall of Knights, with Clare Darwood overseeing the property elements.

Knights Corporate Partner Michael Hall added:

“We’re delighted to have been able to assist PCS with its transition to employee ownership, which we have no doubt will provide the ideal platform for the further growth of the business. It was a great to work closely with Hawsons and the PCS team on this project, which further showcases Knights’ expertise in EOT transactions. We wish all at PCS the very best for the future.

Employee ownership continues to gain momentum in the UK, with the number of businesses adopting this model rising steadily. According to the Employee Ownership Association, there are over 1,650 employee-owned businesses in the UK, reflecting a 30% increase in the past year alone​. EOTs are increasingly recognised as an effective succession planning tool, providing stability, preserving company culture, and enabling employees to share in future success.