Hiyield’s next chapter: why we became employee owned

Hiyield is starting an exciting new chapter – we’re now 80% employee owned.
That means everyone here, from our newest apprentice to our most experienced developer, has a real stake in where we’re headed. In this post, we’ll talk about why we made the change, how our Employee Ownership Trust works, and what it means for the whole team.

This is something we’ve talked about for years. In fact, Matt, our co-founder, has been championing employee ownership since the early days. Now, after months of behind-the-scenes planning, legal steps, and open conversations with the team, it’s official.  And we couldn’t be prouder.

“For me, employee ownership isn’t just a structure – it’s about creating a culture where everyone feels invested in our success and empowered to shape our future. It was important that Hiyield takes this step to ensure our team shares in both responsibility and the rewards of what we’re building together.”
Matt Ville, Co-founder and CTO

Why become employee owned?

Because it’s always felt like the right thing to do. 

For us, this isn’t simply a change in company structure – it’s a reflection of what Hiyield has always been about. We believe everyone should share in the success we’re building together. Whether you’re an apprentice or a lead developer, your ideas matter. Your voice matters. And your role in shaping the business is just as important as anyone else’s.

Employee ownership cements our commitment to building a company where people are truly valued – not just for the work they deliver, but for the perspectives they bring. It’s about creating a place where you know you can make a real difference.

“Employee ownership at Hiyield perfectly reflects the values we live by every day – fairness, transparency and collective responsibility. It’s a powerful way to deepen our commitment to these principles and to each other. As a B Corp, we’re proud to build a business that puts people and purpose at its heart, and this step strengthens that even more.”
Laura Hudspith, Head of Operations and Sustainability

Why now?

We’ve been shaping Hiyield together for a long time – as a team, as a culture, and as a business. Over time, it became clear that the way we work, make decisions, and support each other already reflected the values behind employee ownership.

So, this felt like the natural next step. Making it official is our way of saying: this is who we are and how we want to grow. It formalises what we’ve been living all along – a business where everyone has a stake and a say in where we go next.

“Becoming employee owned is a natural step for Hiyield. We’ve always been about collaboration and shared success, and this gives everyone a bigger stake in our future. I’m really proud to be representing the team as employee director – listening to feedback, gathering ideas, and bringing them to the EOT board so we can keep building something brilliant, together.”
Ben Short, co-founder and senior developer

How employee ownership works

We’ve set up an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), which now holds the controlling share (80%) of Hiyield.

The Trust buys these shares from the existing business using a loan, and over time, profits will help repay that loan. Once it’s paid off, future profits can be reinvested in growing the company or shared among the team as bonuses.

But the real change isn’t just financial. We’ve also introduced employee forums to make sure everyone has a voice in our direction. Because employee ownership is about more than shareholding – it’s about creating a culture where everyone’s input shapes the journey.

What’s next for Hiyield?

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from other employee-owned businesses, it’s that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The key is building a model that works for your people.

That’s exactly what we’re doing – taking our time, listening to the team, and evolving as we go.

We’re officially employee owned. But more than that, we’re a team that shares the journey, the decisions, and the wins. And this is just the beginning.

Want to know what employee ownership means to our team? Read our next article or sign up for our newsletter (in the footer) so you never miss an awesome update.