IE News
IE is now Employee Owned
We have some big news to share.
After 30 years of business, IE’s owners – Ollie and Claire Leggett – have passed ownership on to an Employee Owned Trust (EOT). That means, just like John Lewis & Partners (probably the best known EOT) and Aardman Animation (the makers of Wallace & Gromit), the business now belongs to the entire IE team.
Ollie’s not going anywhere anytime soon. He remains IE’s MD, but he’s no longer a shareholder. Instead, like all of us at IE, he’s an employee. And all of us are Employee Owners.
While this won’t change how we work with clients day to day, we think it matters – because it says a lot about who we are, where we’re headed, and what we value.
Why (and why now)?
Every business that’s been around as long as ours eventually starts to think about succession planning. And while Ollie continues to lead IE, he’s got half an eye on retirement over the coming decade.
Ollie says:
"I knew I had a choice to make... Sell IE to a bigger business, and risk compromising our values-driven, people-centric approach. Or entrust IE’s future to the team who’ve shaped our culture and built our reputation.
In recent years we’ve taken some bold steps… Becoming a Certified B Corp. Adopting the 4 Day Week (whilst unswervingly maintaining a five-days-a-week client service). Moving to employee ownership feels like a natural next step – albeit a big one – in the same direction.”
What does it mean for clients?
Clients will be in the same safe hands – not least because talent retention at IE has never been so strong.
Research from the Employee Ownership Association shows EOTs are 8–12% more productive than owner-managed businesses. The stats show that staff stay with EOTs for longer, they build deeper relationships with clients, and they go above and beyond for the company because they’re, quite literally, invested. Every designer, strategist, developer and marketeer has a personal stake in making a difference for our clients. It’s not just about delivering great work, it’s about building a sustainable legacy we’re all proud of.
What you won’t see is any big shake-ups. We’re still the same IE you know and love:
- Same tight-knit team, same values, same culture.
- Same MD leading the business for the foreseeable future.
- Same focus on not-for-profits and purpose-driven clients.
But behind the scenes, this shift prepares us for the future. It’s a succession plan that keeps us steady, ensuring no surprises or disruptions when leadership eventually changes.
We’ll let Ollie have the final word:
“I’ve happily served IE and our clients for 30 years and the business has been good to me and my family. I have every confidence that the EOT will enjoy the same reciprocity for decades to come. In the hands of employee owners, our clients will enjoy exceptional service and award-winning work, and IE Brand & Digital will have the best chance of a long and successful future.”
