Totum Partners

We’re pleased to have advised Totum Partners, a London-based specialist recruitment consultancy, on its strategic transition to an Employee Ownership Trust.

Founded in 2012, Totum Partners is a recruitment and executive search company that specialises in sourcing leadership and business services talent in the legal and professional services sectors. As a qualified B Corp, the business has a particular focus on promoting diversity in leadership roles and runs the Totum Foundation, which provides funds and support for individuals and organisations in developing employability.

Totum Partners has now become 100 per cent employee owned, after establishing a new Employee Ownership Trust to hold the shares on behalf of its employees. Founders Tim Skipper, Debbie Gray and Gary Jones will remain active in the business, with responsibilities transferring gradually over time to ensure continuity and protect the independence, culture and quality of service on which its clients rely.

Our Corporate Finance team acted as lead advisers to Totum Partners, providing initial strategic, financial and tax advice, enabling the business to ascertain whether or not employee ownership was the right ‘fit’ for the business. Once a decision was made to proceed, our team provided independent share valuation services, financial modelling, and further tax advice to ensure a smooth transition for the business to its new ownership model.

James Cooper, Partner at FRP Corporate Finance, said: “Employee ownership is becoming an increasingly popular succession route for founders who want to secure the long-term future of their business whilst rewarding the people who have helped to build it.

“Totum Partners has established itself as a trusted partner to businesses across the legal and professional services sector, with its B Corp status and the Totum Foundation demonstrating a strong commitment to social value. This transition will allow the company to preserve the people first culture that has made it successful as it continues to grow.”

Tim Skipper, Debbie Gray and Gary Jones, Co-Founders of Totum Partners, added: “This is about planning for the future in a way that keeps our culture strong and ensures the business remains in the hands of the people who know it best. There are significant opportunities ahead for our people and for the clients we work with.

“With the help of the FRP Corporate Finance team, we’ve been able to put in place a structure that supports long-term planning for the next generation of leaders. The support they provided throughout the process was invaluable, and it’s positioned the business well for continued growth across the legal and professional services markets.”