One Year On: Hyas as an Employee Owned Trust

It’s now been 12 months since Hyas Associates transitioned to an Employee Owned Trust (EOT)-a milestone that marked a new chapter in how we operate, grow, and support one another. The move saw company ownership transfer to a Trust that oversees Hyas with a clear remit: to ensure our long-term sustainability and to act in the interests of our employees. For us, this wasn’t just a structural change-it was a commitment to protecting the Hyas ethos and principles, and empowering every team member to help shape our future.

The Hyas team volunteering at Thrive in September 2025

Over the past year, we’ve been busy. From reviewing our company structure and establishing the new Trust Board, to nominating our first Employee Representative and updating working practices, the shift to an EOT has sparked meaningful conversations and tangible progress.

Clare Manders, our nominated Employee Representative, reflects on the journey:

“As we mark the first year of Hyas Associates operating as an Employee Ownership Trust, I’ve had the privilege of serving as the Employee Representative-a journey of listening, learning, and building our shared purpose in Hyas. From the outset, our transition was designed not to disrupt our day-to-day operations, but to embed a new layer of accountability, transparency, and collective purpose. What’s been most striking is how naturally our existing ethos-collaboration, integrity, and dedication to placemaking-has aligned with the principles of employee ownership. In the early months, my role focused on listening: understanding how colleagues viewed the change, identifying areas where communication could be clearer, and providing representation to the Trust Board, enabling them to fulfil their supportive role. As we move forward, one year on, it’s less about formal mechanisms and more about continuing to foster a culture of mutual respect and shared responsibility, ensuring that every team member feels their contribution matters, and that the company’s future is something we shape together – we are all looking forward to year two!”

Company Director Paul Brockway adds: “Whilst we’ve always valued openness at Hyas, becoming an EOT has deepened that commitment. It’s encouraged us to be more transparent and to actively invite ideas and contributions from across the team. We now share, discuss, and agree how we want Hyas to grow. The response has been brilliant—everyone recognises that it’s in all of our interests to ensure Hyas remains profitable, sustainable, and forward-thinking. Having the Trust Board in place has also been a positive step, offering both support and challenge as we continue to improve.”

One of the most visible outcomes of this evolution has been the review and refresh of our staff structure, ensuring we have the leadership and decision-making capacity to support a growing and resilient business. As part of this, we’re proud to announce the promotion of Matt Bowers and Julian Pye to Technical Director roles. Julian has been with Hyas for over four years and Matt for more than three, each bringing deep expertise, thoughtful leadership, and a collaborative spirit to our work. Their promotions are a testament to their impact and the value they bring to our team.

As we look ahead, we know that becoming an EOT is not a one-off event but a continual process. We’re excited to keep building on this foundation, tackling the opportunities and challenges our sector presents, and growing Hyas in a way that reflects the values we all share.