Christian Wilson

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My focus for most of my career has been helping owners obtain a successful exit from their company through a trade sale or management buy-out. Since 2016, I have spent more time focusing on supporting companies that want to achieve a successful transition to an Employee Ownership Trust. I have worked with small companies (under 10 employees) and larger companies (over 800 employees) across a wide range of sectors, from law firms and accountants to retailers and manufacturers. All have found that an EOT was a succession option that far exceeded their expectations. In providing support to companies and founders thinking about succession, I aim to offer the highest level of support and reassurance during what is probably one of the most important times in a founder’s life and their company’s development.

Christian is an award winning specialist Employee Ownership Trust lawyer and is ranked a Leading Partner in Legal 500 and a Notable Practitioner in Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession. Christian has spent over twenty five years advising business owners on succession and sales.

Having led the project to take the first law firm in the UK into a model of employee ownership, Christian’s work within the Employee Ownership environment includes supporting other law firms and professional services businesses, alongside businesses in virtually all sectors. With over 60 projects completed at a combined value of circa £450 million, Christian has supported more than 3,500 employees to become co-owners of their companies.

Christian has also provided discrete advice to minority shareholders in EOT transactions,  undertaken many presentations about employee ownership as a succession strategy and is a member of the Employee Ownership Association. He is an independent trustee of a number of EOTs and has been chair of several charities and has been a non-exec director of the Eden Project.

Relevant experience

Some recent EO projects led by Christian include:

  • PCB manufacturer (Berkshire) 
  • Street furniture design & manufacture (Wiltshire) 
  • Advertising and PR company (Devon) 
  • Refrigeration business (South West) 
  • Air Conditioning manufacturer (Devon and USA) 
  • 200 employee law firm with 15 offices (Yorkshire) 
  • Regional law firm based in the South East 
  • Chartered Accountancy practice based in South West 
  • Franchised Accountancy practice based in the (Lancashire) 
  • 800 employee construction business based in London and the South East 
  • Digital training company based in the South with subsidiaries in the USA and Europe  
  • Engineering business (Derbyshire) 
  • Retail Fashion business based in London with over 60 concessions 
  • Specialist software company with 90 employees (Cornwall)  
  • Environmental advisory business (Devon) 

Practice Areas

Commercial Corporate

Client Feedback

“Another “thank you”…. I’m just reading your introductory document which precedes all the legals, Trust, Articles, SPA, etc. This is the first time I’ve come across such a document and, what a breath of fresh air. To have something which explains the content of “the legals” so clearly is a massive help.  If only all law firms did this in as a clear and informal a way as you’ve done!” – Ian Hiscock (professional EOT Independent Trustee).

“The thing that struck me most about Christian is his genuine passion for employee ownership. He is clearly a true believer, and that unfeigned enthusiasm is exactly what you need when going through an EO transition. His experience, patience, wisdom, and support made the whole process feel seamless. If you are considering a move to employee ownership, I cannot recommend Christian highly enough.” – EOT Project for Chartered Accountants in the South West.

“Big Thank You for all your help, guidance, and professional advice with this task/endeavour. I know you very much helped to get us over the line so to speak. Your patience was exemplary!” – Lawrence Clarke, Lawrence Clarke IFAs.

“For some time I had been looking for an exit but selling the company via a trade sale would leave our loyal staff with an uncertain future. I wanted all of the team to have the security and continued opportunity to benefit from their hard work long into the future. An Employee Ownership Trust ticked all of the boxes. James (VFDNet) showed us the way and came highly recommended. He recruited Christian of Spencer West to complete the legal side of things. We could not have had a better team to take us through to completion in record time. Thank you James for your forensic project management and Christian for explaining the legal aspects in plain English. I would, without hesitation recommend you both.’” – Brian Vockins, Grapevine Telecom.

“It seems an appropriate time just to express my personal thanks for all your help and advice in guiding us through the EOT process. From initial contact until its successful conclusion it has been a pleasure working with you and I have valued your input throughout. I know you place great value on personal service and ongoing contact and communication and this fits very well with my own approach.” – EOT project for industrial manufacturing company, Midlands.

“…appreciation for the excellent support and guidance you provided throughout the EOT transaction.” – EOT project for retail business London and further afield.

Articles by Christian Wilson

article 5 Dec 2024
Own Goals: Christian Wilson on the rise of Employee Ownership
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news 9 Jan 2024
Images Magazine features Christian Wilson on employee ownership
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news 7 Dec 2022
DEAL ALERT: Christian Wilson supports Bennett Oakley Solicitors transition to employee ownership
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