Care company celebrates becoming an employee-owned trust

The team behind a care company helping individuals in the Winchester area, are now running the business through an employee-owned trust.

Everycare (Central & Hants) Ltd was set up by entrepreneur Mike Frizzell back in 2010. Mike, who had been a finance director in several roles, decided to run his own business after being made redundant in his 50s.

“For me, running a franchise under the umbrella of Everycare UK was a common sense option as I didn’t have a ‘big business idea’ of my own. Initially a friend joined me in the business and we employed a care manager to bring in that important sector knowledge,” Mike, who lives in the Sutton Scotney area, said.

Once the business was registered by the CQC (the Care Quality Commission) the small team began to offer live-in care and domiciliary care in the Winchester area. Over the past 14 years the business has grown and developed a strong reputation for good care in the area. Today the team is made up of six office staff who manage operations and 50 carers who are out delivering high quality care in the community.

However, several months ago, Mike, now 66, made the decision that it was time to start planning his exit from the company.

“I wanted to start to move away and spend time doing other things that I enjoy. I’m a very practical and active person. I enjoy orienteering and already take part in that hobby on a weekly basis and would like to do more of it. I enjoy gardening and have designed and landscaped my own garden but I need to catch up on those important tasks in the garden.

“Also next year, I want to free up time to support my daughter as she builds her own business as a qualified nutritional therapist – and she will be supporting many of her clients online. I plan to learn about digital marketing as well as keeping a handle on the finances when she launches her consultancy in 2025.”

Mike opted for an employee-owned trust which allowed the team to take over the business, allowed Mike to gradually exit the business while receiving a tax efficient, financial settlement for the years he put in to build the company. It also met with approval from the owner of the Everycare UK franchise.

“It was a solution which also supported our clients who would not be aware of any changes in the everyday operation of the business and therefore there would be no anxiety or worry for them. It also supported the team and gave them confidence to know that their future is in their hands,” Mike said.

Karen Whitmill, care manager, said: “I see the EOT as a great opportunity and we are all looking forward to making the business grow through employee co-operation.”

Today Everycare (Central & Hants) Ltd is run by a board of trustees after working with employee-owned trust expert Chris Maslin, of Go EO.

He said: “It’s been a privilege to work with the team to help them transition to a new and bright future for this caring business which supports many vulnerable people in the community.

“It worked very well also for this type of franchise business model by creating a smooth transition to a new ‘group of owners’ who already know the business inside and out.”

For more information about the care which can be offered by the team at Everycare (Central & Hants) Ltd visit https://www.everycarehants.co.uk/care/

* Picture shows Rachel Warland, Suzanne Picton, Karen Whitmill (Care Manager), Nicole Apicella, Angie Gibson and Mike Frizzell