Leathes Prior advises Phoenix Support Ltd on EOT structure
Leathes Prior is delighted to have advised Phoenix Support Limited on its transition to an employee-owned business under an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structure.
Phoenix Support Limited began in 1988 with Lorna O’Shea, the owner, whose passion for delivering personalised care helped lay the foundation for a business that would grow to be a valued part of the local community. Later trading under The O’Shea Partnership and then Care-Yes Ltd, the company changed its name in 2014 to Phoenix Support Limited following input from the local community.
With over 35 years of experience, Phoenix Support Ltd provides compassionate, person-centred support across Maidstone, West Malling, East Malling, and neighbouring villages for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and dementia. The dedicated team at Phoenix Support Ltd works closely with the community to ensure that individuals are able to live their lives as independently as possible.
The transaction was led by Alex Saunders, Partner in the Corporate Team, assisted by Hugo Persad, Trainee Solicitor in the Corporate Team.
Having considered various exit options, Lorna believed that becoming an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) was the best way for Phoenix Support Ltd to maintain its longstanding employee-focused culture and ensure that the vision of the business continues.
Leathes Prior is delighted to have been able to provide advice to Phoenix Support Ltd with this transition, which will not only ensure its long-term future as an employee-owned organisation but also as a proud business helping its community. Lorna said of the transaction: “The EOT process requires collaboration and transparency. It was important to us to have legal advisers who were not only knowledgeable but also pragmatic and aligned with our goals. Alex Saunders and Hugo Persad played a key role throughout. Their guidance and insight made the process both smooth and rewarding. I cannot praise or recommend Leathes Prior high enough. Thank you for your support.”
Speaking on behalf of Leathes Prior Solicitors, Alex Saunders said: “We are delighted to assist Lorna and the employees on the transition of Phoenix Support to employee ownership. This structure is well-suited to ensure that the company’s vision, together with its employee and community-focused culture, can be continued in the long term. I will be excited to see how the business continues to grow and develop under employee ownership.”
We wish Lorna and all the team at Phoenix Support Ltd all the best for the future.
To understand more about Employee Ownership Trust and whether this would be the right fit for your business going forward, please contact our Corporate Team via info@leathesprior.co.uk or by telephone at 01603 610911.
.jpg)
Spring Statement 2026 - An Overview
With the Government having restricted itself to one fiscal event a year in the form of the Autumn Budget, the Spring Statement is perhaps not the dramatic moment it used to be. It is more a chance for the Government to respond to events and economic forecasts than to set policy for the future.
Charity of the Month: Sue Lambert Trust
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting the Sue Lambert Trust as our Charity of the Month for February 2026. Sue Lambert Trust is a leading charity in Norfolk offering free therapeutic counselling and support services to survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
Supreme Court ruling set to impact NHS - Children injured by NHS can claim damages for lifetime lost earnings
In February 2026, the Supreme Court passed a ruling which is set to significantly increase the amount of damages the NHS may have to pay for claims brought in respect of children injured at birth, as a result of medical negligence.
.jpg)
The Value of Planning Ahead: LPAs & Court of Protection
Putting LPAs in place allows you to choose trusted people to make decisions for you if you lose capacity in the future. This avoids the need for loved ones to make a costly and time-consuming deputyship application to the Court of Protection. With more people likely to experience conditions affecting capacity, more families may need to turn to the Court for support where no LPAs are in place.
Spring Statement 2026 - An Overview
With the Government having restricted itself to one fiscal event a year in the form of the Autumn Budget, the Spring Statement is perhaps not the dramatic moment it used to be. It is more a chance for the Government to respond to events and economic forecasts than to set policy for the future.
Charity of the Month: Sue Lambert Trust
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting the Sue Lambert Trust as our Charity of the Month for February 2026. Sue Lambert Trust is a leading charity in Norfolk offering free therapeutic counselling and support services to survivors of sexual violence and abuse.
Supreme Court ruling set to impact NHS - Children injured by NHS can claim damages for lifetime lost earnings
In February 2026, the Supreme Court passed a ruling which is set to significantly increase the amount of damages the NHS may have to pay for claims brought in respect of children injured at birth, as a result of medical negligence.
The Value of Planning Ahead: LPAs & Court of Protection
Putting LPAs in place allows you to choose trusted people to make decisions for you if you lose capacity in the future. This avoids the need for loved ones to make a costly and time-consuming deputyship application to the Court of Protection. With more people likely to experience conditions affecting capacity, more families may need to turn to the Court for support where no LPAs are in place.
The case of the fake cases: another judgment on AI-hallucinations in litigation
The use of AI Large Language Models in litigation continues to generate headlines (and consternation from the judiciary). In 2025, it seemed that rarely a month went by without a new case on fake AI-generated case law. December was no exception, and the High Court has now issued a further warning regarding the use of AI by litigants.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
.jpg)
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
