At Metafour, our staff don’t just work here- we own the business. Being an Employee Owned Trust (EOT) business shapes everything we do, from how we develop our software, to how we support our logistics and mailroom partners worldwide, and all backed by 40+ years of innovation.
What does it mean to be Employee-Owned?
It means that rather than being owned only by external investors or private equity firms, our team holds a direct stake, 80.4% to be precise, in the company’s performance, independence and future; and while day-to-day, Metafour continues to adhere to UK corporate legislation and governance, these shares are held as a single majority block by a limited trust, for all eligible employees collectively.
“Knowing we have a majority stake in Metafour, held in a trust for the benefit of the employees, completely changes how we approach our software. We’re not rushing features out to satisfy external shareholders, we’re building reliable, high-performing tools because our names and reputations are directly tied to what our clients use everyday.” – Lloyd Gregory (Product Manager, Metafour Team)
Why did Metafour choose to become an Employee Ownership Trust?
We believe that software is only as good as the team behind it. Transitioning to an EOT allows us to:
- Protect our independence: We collectively control the roadmap of the business, without pressure from short-term investor demands.
- Preserve our culture: Our focus remains on long-term relationships, service excellence, and continuous software evolution.
- Empower our people: Every team member has a voice in how we operate and share in the rewards of our collective success.
How does our employee ownership benefit our customers?
When you partner with Metafour, you work with people who have a personal stake in your success:
- Long-term stability: We cannot be bought out or stripped for short-term profit, and so you can rely on us as a secure, permanent software partner.
- Continuity & expertise: High employee engagement means lower staff turnover, so you deal with experienced software developers and support specialists who know your business inside and out.
- Customer-first mindset: Every fix, feature, and integration is designed to build lasting trust, not just hit quarterly financial targets.
Do individual employees hold direct shares?
No, the shares are held collectively in a trust on behalf of all employees. This ensures equality, fosters genuine collaboration, and guarantees that everyone, from engineering to customer support, is working toward the same goal: delivering software that works seamlessly for your business. An EOT give employees a genuine stake in the company’s future, without the pressure of individual share purchase risks, creating a supportive, long-term partnership where everyone’s dedication contributes directly to a shared reward.
What does “going far together” mean for our team?
There’s an old saying: “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. This is our team mantra, and therefore employee ownership isn’t simply a buzzword, it’s how we protect our team’s life work, nurture talent, and ensure that Metafour remains an innovative, trusted partner in courier and mailroom software for decades to come.
