Birmingham crisis management firm Insignia has become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), securing its independence and giving staff a collective stake in the business.
The move marks a major milestone in the consultancy’s 17-year journey since it was founded by Jonathan Hemus, who also chairs Aston University’s Crisis Centre.
Hemus said: “When I founded the business 17 years ago, my purpose was clear: to give clients the capability and confidence to do and say the right things when a crisis strikes and avoid the needless harm to lives, livelihoods, business and reputation as the result of a mishandled crisis.
“Becoming an employee-owned business is the natural next step for us. It rewards the talented people who have helped build the business and ensures that the culture, purpose and values that define us will remain at Insignia’s heart.”
Insignia’s client portfolio includes Commonwealth Games England, which it advised during the 2022 Birmingham Games, as well as West Midlands-based organisations such as law firm Gowling WLG, NFU Mutual, and West Midlands Pension Fund. The consultancy provides expertise in crisis planning, training, and simulation exercises.
Hemus added: “I’m proud to have established a world-leading specialist consultancy in Birmingham and to have successfully carved our niche in competition with the world’s biggest consultancies. Becoming employee-owned secures our independence, enables clients to continue to benefit from the ‘Insignia way’ and ensures that the people who have helped shape the firm — our exceptional team — continue to drive its success for years to come. It’s a great move for us and we’re excited about the future.”
