Hudgell Solicitors has marked its first anniversary as an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) by launching a new employee forum following another successful year.
Year-end bonuses rewarding success
The Hull and Manchester-based firm transitioned to employee ownership in December 2023 when founder and executive chairman Neil Hudgell transferred the majority of shares to the EOT, giving employees collective control of the business. The shift was designed to involve staff in long-term strategic decisions and allow them to benefit directly from the firm’s success.
The firm’s success over the past year has resulted in its second annual profit-share bonus, distributed equally among staff who have been with the business for at least a year. This is the second Christmas where all colleagues will receive an equal profit share bonus.
New Employee Forum to provide ‘employee voice’
A new eight-member Employee Forum has been selected to act as the voice of the workforce and generate ideas. Members, representing various departments and roles across the firm, were selected through a nomination process and will report to the EOT Board.
Rachel Di Clemente, chief executive of Hudgell Solicitors, says the new Forum members will act as ‘champions and role models’ of the company culture and brand, and are tasked with ensuring ‘ideas from the shop floor’, and their own departments, make their way to the top.
“The establishment of this new EOT Employee Forum is a really exciting development for us and is something we have put a great deal of time and thought into onto over the past 12 months to ensure it has impact,” she said.
The forum members include legal and non-legal staff, with representatives such as senior chartered legal executives Laura Rowan and Ronke Bain, legal secretary Henna Arif, and proclaim developer Adam Hinchcliffe. Their role is to champion the company’s culture and ensure ideas from all levels are heard and actioned.
Rebecca Cone, who has been with the business 10 years, said: “It was really nice to be asked to become involved in something like this. Hopefully, as a group, can help give employees a louder voice in the firm’s future.’’
Henna Arif, a newer member of the team, added, “I was quite surprised that to be selected, but I feel very excited about being part of the Forum and being given the opportunity bring about some changes.”
Image: © Hudgell Solicitors
Josie Geistfeld
Josie Geistfeld is Editor of Yorkshire Legal News. She welcomes comments and questions.