EOA congratulates The Helpful Book Company on its move to employee ownership

The Helpful Book Company is a Millom based publishing company that specialises in books and
online courses that help novices (often seniors) get to grips with technology – for example PCs,
smartphones & tablets.

It has customers from all around the country and indeed around the world – over 140,000 people
have used their books & courses to help them master technology.

The Helpful Book Company was first established in 2005 by Tim Wakeling but on the 16th October
the company became owned by its 10 existing employees under an employee ownership trust –
similar to John Lewis/Waitrose, Richer Sounds or Aardman Animations (makers of the Wallace and
Gromit films).

From then on the company will be entirely owned by the staff and everyone who works there will
benefit from this.

At the same time Tim Wakeling will be stepping back and long standing employee Laura Pattinson
will take over as Managing Director. Laura has worked for the company for 13 years and has been a
crucial part of its growth and success.

The company provides employment within Millom and also provides business for local organisations
such as the Royal Mail.

Deb Oxley OBE, CEO of the Employee Ownership Association, said: “We congratulate The Helpful
Book Company on it’s transition to employee ownership supported by Co-ownership Solutions. By
widening ownership of the business to its employees The Helpful Book Company is securing the future of the business, including its ethos, values and employees, while rooting itself locally for the longer term to the benefit of the community which it serves.”

More information about The Helpful Book Company and their range of books can be found on
their website here: www.helpfulbooks.co.uk