Synergy Vision becomes an Employee Ownership (EO) Company Strengthening the Commitment to its Talented Team and Safeguarding its Values

Medical communications specialist Synergy Vision (SV) is now an employee-owned (EO) company, joining a growing movement that includes Aardman Animations, John Lewis, PwC and Riverford Organics. 

It is a definitive move that further empowers the team to drive long-term growth and deliver the difference for clients, in an environment that boosts staff engagement, innovation and motivation and safeguards the intrinsic values of the company.

Since inception, a people-focused ethos has been intrinsic to SV. This is most recently evidenced by trailblazing initiatives such as the four-day working week, successful since 2018, and its Investors in People platinum accreditation in 2020, which place it in the top two per cent of UK companies and number one in its sector.

The SV team will now have an even greater voice in running the business, with their majority shareholding held collectively in an employee ownership trust (EOT) and a direct link between company productivity and bonus/ profit share for all. Richard Maver, senior medical writer, has been appointed as employee representative on the EOT.

Ffyona Dawber, SV founder and CEO explains: “Employee ownership (EO) is a natural step forward for Synergy Vision. We have transferred 87.5% of the company to our employees which protects our people-focused ethos and will drive continued innovation for clients as well as growth and long-term sustainability.  EO secures the future for SV and is a legacy of which we are immensely proud.”

Deb Oxley Chief Executive of the EOA comments: It is pleasing to see a successful medium-sized business such as Synergy Vision recognising the inherent benefits in employee ownership over selling to a larger group.

“There has never been a more important time for organisations to stay agile and focused on their purpose and uniting the SV team through ownership can only pay dividends.”

About Synergy Vision

Now in its 14th year, SV has over 60 staff across offices in London, Dublin and Sydney and provides strategic communications support and medical education programmes for clients across Europe, North and South America and the Asia-Pacific region.

SV has a team-focused ethos, promoting diversity in the workplace, a positive work-life balance and excellence in delivering for clients, including initiatives such as its four-day working week, a bespoke development scheme for industry first-timers as well as its programme to catapult mid-level managers to senior positions.

Multiple accolades going back to 2010 recognise individuals and the company. These most recently include Investors in People platinum accreditation, placing it in the top two per cent of UK companies and number one it its sector; top-three ranking across all industries for Best Small Workplace assessed by Great Place to Work® and Management Today’s Inspiring Women in Business’ Flexible Working Initiative of the Year Award for the 4-day week introduced in 2018.

About Employee Ownership

According to the Employee Ownership Association (www.employeeownership.co.uk), the employee owned business sector in the UK is growing because co-owned companies tend to be more successful, competitive, profitable and sustainable.

Successive UK governments have promoted employee ownership because they recognise its potential contribution to the economy.  Companies which are employee owned, or which have large and significant employee ownership stakes, now contribute £30 billion to GDP.

Independent research suggests that a combination of shared ownership and employee participation delivers superior business performance. The most recent snapshots of the sector in May/June 2020 were taken before the effects of the Covid-19 could be fully felt, so it remains to be seen if these types of businesses will be more resilient through this crisis. However 66% of the Top 50 EO companies have no debt and early case studies show that many EO businesses were quick to unite their employees behind a hibernation, survival, pivot or key worker strategy, thus increasing business survival chances.

For further information go to www.synergy-vision.com or contact:

Eileen Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer, Synergy Vision

T: 020 7625 0050

M: 07811 738307

E: eileen@synergy-vision.com