Grape Tree Employee Ownership Guide

Your Questions Answered

Grape Tree is now an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT) business — a major and positive step for our future. We know you’ll have questions, so we’ve put together this guide to explain what’s changing, what isn’t, and what it means for all of us.

1. What does “employee owned” actually mean?

It means Grape Tree is now owned for the benefit of the people who work here.
A legal Trust now holds most of the company’s shares on behalf of all eligible staff. Instead of a single owner or outside investors, ownership is now collective and centred on employees.

2. What is a Trust?

A Trust is a legal structure that holds the company shares for the long-term benefit of all staff.
You won’t receive individual shares — instead, the Trust owns them collectively and ensures decisions support the company’s values, stability, and employees.

3. Why are we doing this?

To keep Grape Tree independent and protect the principles the business was built on — fairness, honesty, and looking after each other.
Employee ownership supports long-term growth while ensuring that future success is shared with the people who make it possible.

4. Does this mean the company was sold?

Yes — but only to the Employee Ownership Trust.
This is not a takeover, merger, or sale to another business. Day-to-day operations remain exactly the same.

5. Was the company in trouble?

Not at all. Grape Tree is profitable, stable, and growing.
The move to employee ownership is about protecting our future, keeping control inside the business, and avoiding any need for outside buyers.

6. Who are the Trustees?

The current Trustees are:

• Nick Shutts
• Oliver Shutts
• Kate Lloyd
• Claire Bloomer
• Jamal Oulkadi
• Callum Bradley
• Will Hill
• Campbell McDonald (Independent Trustee)

7. What do the Trustees do?

Trustees ensure the Trust is run fairly and responsibly for the benefit of all employees.
They oversee major decisions to make sure they align with the Trust’s purpose: protecting jobs, values, and long-term success.

8. Will my job change?

No. Your job, pay, responsibilities, and manager stay exactly the same.
Nothing changes in your day-to-day role.

9. Who is running the company now?

The same management team as before.
The EOT affects ownership, not leadership or daily operations.

10. Who gets to be part of the Trust?

Anyone who has worked at Grape Tree for three months or more automatically becomes a beneficiary.
If you’re under three months, you’ll join automatically once you reach that point.

11. What happens if I leave the company?

You simply stop being part of the Trust.
There is no cost, penalty, or loss — you just no longer take part in any future benefits.

12. Will I get paid a bonus?

No immediate payments will be made.
In future years, the Trust may pay tax-free bonuses depending on company performance and affordability. This is not guaranteed.

13. Does this affect my normal pay?

No.
Your regular wages stay exactly as they are.
The EOT bonus is an additional benefit if the business performs well.

14. Can the company still grow and open new shops?

Yes — absolutely.
The company continues to invest in new stores, products, and our people.
The EOT structure supports growth in a stable, sustainable way.

15. Could Grape Tree ever be sold again?

There are no plans to sell.
The whole purpose of becoming employee owned is to keep the business independent.
However, if a future sale ever did occur, it could only happen if it clearly benefitted all employees — and staff would share fairly in the proceeds.

16. What’s in it for us as employees?

• A shared stake in the company’s future
• Potential tax-free bonuses
• Greater job security
• A strong, independent business
• More employee voice through the Trust and Employee Council
• Long-term stability and a greater sense of ownership

17. What is the Employee Council?

The Employee Council will be a group of colleagues from across the business who meet with management and Trustees.
They’ll bring forward ideas, concerns, and feedback from the wider team to help shape decisions and improve communication.

18. What happens next?

You don’t need to do anything.
Over the coming months we’ll share updates on:

• The Employee Council
• How the tax-free bonus scheme will work

We will continue to expand this guide as questions come in.

19. Who can I contact with questions?

You can email: [email protected]