Entrepreneur Chris Maslin, founder of Go EO, has launched a tool to allow business owners to take the first steps to explore the possibilities of an employee ownership trust (or EOT).

The EOT Explorer is a free engagement tool designed to make life easier for those who are considering how to exit their business.

“This free, online tool, with no contact details required, is for people to assess how suitable they/their business are for an EOT. I genuinely think it’s great and we have had some brilliant early feedback,” Chris, who lives in Kent, said.

Chris’s experience with employee ownership trusts started when he exited from his own business in this way in 2021. He had started his own accountancy firm, Maslins, in 2009. A decade later, Chris began to feel it was time for him to step back and pass the business on. However, it was important for him to safeguard his team.

“I knew my time at the helm was coming to an end. I just didn’t have that passion anymore and that wasn’t good for the future health of the business. Yet I didn’t want to damage my team; I wanted them to feel not only safe but empowered. For me, an employee ownership trust was the answer,” he said.

After transitioning Maslins to an EOT in 2021, Chris realised the process could be made smoother and more affordable for small, straightforward companies like his. So he set about creating Go EO over the following year.

This new tool aims to provide founders with valuable early information before making any commitment. The EOT Explorer relies on your company’s recent financial performance and answers about a dozen questions to help assess whether selling to an employee ownership trust is a realistic option.

“The assessment explores whether your business meets the eligibility criteria for becoming an EOT. It provides a realisticsale price and assesses whether business owners are mentally prepared for this transition,” continued Chris.

The EOT Explorer tool is completely free, takes a few minutes to complete, and provides immediate results.