Stirling’s Expert IT Solutions has announced an exciting new chapter in its journey: a transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Founded in 2002 by entrepreneurs Mark Lonnen and Gavin Glass, the company has grown significantly and is now a trusted provider of IT solutions to businesses large and small across the whole of Scotland.
Sadly, Gavin unexpectedly passed away in 2010. Graeme Emms then joined with Mark in 2010 and bought into the company in 2011.
Reflecting on the company’s evolution, co-founder Mark Lonnen remarked:
“Our journey hasn’t always been easy. For much of the time, it was just Graeme and me, pouring our hearts into meeting every support commitment. Jackie, my wife, and my biggest supporter, knows just how much effort went into every success.
Over the years, Graeme has been my rock—if we were at the top of a tall building and I said ‘jump,’ I know he’d be right there, ready to make the leap with me. But perhaps a better analogy is that I’ve been the engine driving us forward, and Graeme the boiler man, tirelessly stoking the fire.”
The transition to an EOT marks a significant milestone in the company’s story. While the early years placed immense technical challenges on the small team, our growth has transformed the dynamic. Now, Expert IT is a robust team where responsibilities and expertise are shared equally, enabling the company to deliver exceptional service across its diverse customer base.
Traditionally, turning 21 is a “coming of age,” and although we are 22 years old the team sees this year as a fitting moment to acknowledge its transformation. “We’ve moved from a company driven by one or two individuals to a team of committed, clever people who excel both individually and as a group,” said Graeme.
Two employees, Douglas Mackay and Michael Hastie, have been appointed to the Board of the Employee Ownership Trust.
Douglas commented: “Transitioning to an EOT recognises that Expert IT is a team effort. It ensures that ownership and rewards are distributed equally among all employees, reflecting their collective contributions to the business’s success.” Adds Michael, “It’s typical of both Mark and Graeme to prioritise the employees. This is a great company to be part of, and now that it is really ours, it’s up to us to make sure we continue to deliver great service to our customers well into the future.”
Mark reflected on a long-held desire, commenting: “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time—create a business where everyone feels equal ownership and reaps equal rewards. Employee ownership represents the culmination of years of hard work, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team that made it possible,”.
The transaction was supported by Carole Leslie and Alan Watt of Stirling based specialists Ownership Associates who are Scotland’s leading experts in this field. Legal advice was provided by Alastair Barclay of Kerr Stirling.
Alastair said: “We are seeing an increasing number of companies interested in following this route. A sale to an EOT provides security for the employees and continuity for customers, whilst allowing a tax effective means for business owners to realise their value in a company.”
