The founders of Go Ape, which has an adventure park at Whinlatter have announced that they are handing over control of the group to staff.
It is a move that will give all employees an equal stake in the ownership and success of the business.
Founders Rebecca and Tristram Mayhew have declared that 90 per cent of Go Ape shares will be transferred into a John Lewis-style trust for the benefit of all current and future employees.
Since it was founded in 2002, Go Ape has experienced strong growth and the founders have built a multi award-winning forest adventure business with 35 locations across Britain.
It welcomes over a million customers a year and employs 1,000 people in the UK. In America it has 16 operating sites.
“Go Ape has always felt like part of our family” said Rebecca. “We knew deep down we would never be comfortable selling the business to investors.
“We wanted to safeguard its independence for the long term and protect its adventurous spirit, culture and values.
“We also wanted to give back to the 1,000 strong family who have contributed so much, letting them share more fully and equitably in the future direction and success of our brand.”
Tristram added: “Transferring nearly all our shares into an employee owned trust enables us to remain connected as trustees, whilst setting our business family up for the long term.”
