ESOPs in Canada: How to Implement an Employee Share Ownership Plan to Grow and Exit your Business with your Legacy Intact

Employee Share Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are a powerful tool in a world in which it is no longer business as usual. Whether you want to attract and retain skilled workers, create a succession plan for your business, combat the "brain drain," recognize employee contributions, or need a way to turn your company around through improvements in productivity and morale, an ESOP could be the win-win solution for your company. An ESOP is a formal plan that allows employees to purchase shares in the company they work for. Employees think and act like owners because they actually hold a very real stake in the company. Not only are ESOPs financially beneficial for employees; companies that offer these plans also reap tangible rewards in improved motivation, communication, productivity, and profitability.

Perry Phillips
From helping Canada's fastest growing companies implement engagement strategies to supporting business owners exiting on their terms, Perry Phillips is recognized as one of Canada's leading experts on employee share ownership plans (ESOPs). Perry is the president of ESOP Builders Inc., founder of the ESOP Association Canada and co-author of The Ten Trillion Dollar Opportunity: Designing Successful Exit Strategies for Middle Market Business Owners: A Guide for Professional Advisors - Canadian Edition.

Camille Jensen
Camille is the vice-president of ESOP Builders, Canada's leading designer of employee share ownership plans for private companies. In addition to helping companies implement ESOPs, Camille is an active volunteer with the ESOP Association Canada. Camille was a key organizer and chair of the first Canadian Employee Ownership Conference held in June, 2015 and writes frequently on ESOP issues.