Sonic Alarm Systems becomes employee-owned in succession move

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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A Welsh security provider has transferred a majority stake in its business to its employees after completing an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) transaction designed to reward staff and safeguard the company’s long-term future.

Sonic Alarm Systems confirmed that most of its share equity is now owned by a trust on behalf of its workforce, marking a significant milestone for the business.

The transaction was supported by advisers at GS Verde, part of AAB Group.

The company, which specialises in a range of security solutions, has built a reputation in the sector for reliability, technical expertise and customer-focused service.

Its workforce includes engineers with more than 25 years’ service and an operations manager with 18 years’ experience, alongside newer recruits who have joined the business more recently.

Under the new structure, the Employee Ownership Trust will hold the majority of shares in the company on behalf of employees, allowing the team to benefit from the future success of the business while maintaining operational continuity.

The move follows a review of succession options by the company’s leadership, who said employee ownership offered the best route to reward long-serving staff while preserving the company’s culture and independence.

Peter Regan, director at Sonic Alarm Systems, said: “We looked at a number of succession strategies and when Employee Ownership was mentioned, and we considered the benefits to the team, and legacy of the business, it just felt like the right way to say thank you.

“The engineers, the office team, the people who represent Sonic out on the road every day – they are the business. This gives them security and a voice in what comes next.”

Employee Ownership Trusts have become an increasingly popular succession option among UK SMEs, offering business owners a route to step back while transferring ownership to staff through a trust structure.

The model is designed to protect company independence while giving employees a greater stake in the organisation’s future performance.

At Sonic Alarm Systems, the transition reflects the long-standing contribution of staff across the business, with a mix of experienced engineers and newer hires forming the backbone of the company’s operations.

Christine Regan, director at Sonic Alarm Systems, said: “We are so pleased to have found a route that rewards our staff. When you’ve worked somewhere for most of your life, it’s not just a company, it is people, families & shared history.

“This is not the end of anything, it is the start of a new chapter with plans to grow and invest in our people”.

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