Member News | DJS Research announces move to employee ownership on 20th anniversary
North of England market research agen
cy, DJS Research, has become an employee-owned company following two decades as a highly successful family-owned business.
The company, which has offices in Stockport and Leeds as well as a growing network of permanent remote-working staff, is now one of 500+ employee-owned trust (EOT) businesses in the UK, and one of just three employee-owned market research companies nationwide.
Taking the business forward in this way will ensure DJS Research remains independent for many years to come and stays firmly in the hands of the employees who have driven its success and who champion its values and vision for the future.
The new ownership structure has a proven track record in creating long-term growth and security as well as boosting productivity and innovation, and being resilient in times of economic turbulence.
DJS Research has been working closely with the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) to prepare for the transition, which sees all employees become majority owners from the 1st July 2021, which is also the company’s 20th anniversary.
The company leadership will remain largely unchanged, however, Alasdair Gleed, who has been a DJS Research Board Director for more than 10 years, will take over the role of Managing Director, while company founder and current MD, Danny Sims, will move to a Chairman role during the transition.
Speaking about the transition to employee ownership, DJS Research founder, Danny Sims said:
“We are so proud of the company we have created and how it has grown and evolved, and it’s really important that we protect its legacy and ensure it remains independent for many years to come. Employee ownership is a way to do this; it’s progressive and forward-thinking and offers a way to give back to our incredible and talented workforce who have made DJS Research everything it is today.
“The company is going from strength-to-strength and our 20th anniversary is the perfect time to start our exciting new chapter. We will continue to listen to our staff even more than before and deliver excellent research, while showing our clients the value of an employee-owned company through everything we do.”
Jane Frost CBE, Chief Executive of the Market Research Society said:
“Structures like employee ownership very much reflect the way that society is moving. I believe that one of the key benefits is that a business model in which talent has such an important stake is one in which all the company are empowered to learn and act, a fundamental pillar of Intelligence Capital. Having met the team at DJS several times I feel sure they will make a huge success of this new departure and I wish them the best of luck.”
Deb Oxley OBE, Chief Executive of the Employee Ownership Association, which has been supporting DJS Research with the transition said:
“We congratulate DJS Research and its new employee owners; their move to employee ownership will sustain the values and independence of the business for the longer term.”
“Businesses that give employees a stake and a say build trust and shared responsibility, therefore uniting leaders and employees behind a common purpose. This leaves the business in a better position to flex and adapt for the future.”
DJS Research would like to thank Brabners (Solicitors), Clarke Nicklin (Accountants) and the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) who have all helped us with the transition to employee ownership.
Find out more about our transition to employee ownership and watch our ‘big announcement’ video here.