List of Advisors & Professionals

James Grieve brings unparalleled expertise as a strategic business advisor, specializing in start-up, scale-up, and succession planning. His credentials as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), and Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) reflect his comprehensive knowledge. James is the co-creator of SuccessionReady, a proven methodology aligning people, processes, leadership, and legacy for seamless ownership transitions. He has extensive experience working with organizations of various sizes, across many industries, and within diverse business models and structures, including co-operatives. With advanced skills in developing structured strategies, tactical planning, and measurable outcomes, along with graduate education in Circular Economy strategies and Employee Ownership models, James is well-equipped to foster organizational success.

MExit drives transformation through empowered leadership, ensuring a highly profitable and future-ready sustainable enterprise. MExit accelerates enterprise value by mentoring leadership teams to optimize operations and boost profitability. In building high-performing teams, aligned with company Mission and Core Values, we transform enterprises to achieve their fullest potential. As Certified Exit Planning Advisors and external "leadership team coaches," we mentor and train teams to align and execute strategies with market demands, eliminate inefficiencies, and implement scalable systems for growth and entrench operational disciplines. Our expertise includes Strategic Planning, Operational effectiveness, Leadership Development, Change Management, Process and Role Mapping, and Gap analysis.

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Bennett Jones LLP provides all aspects of legal services related to the implementation and management of EOT structures including expertise in Canadian tax and corporate law.  We advise on and document pre-EOT reorganizations to ensure vendors can claim the $10M capital gains deduction, settling EOT trust deeds, the sale of the qualifying business to the EOT and ongoing support to ensure EOT compliance.  Bennett Jones also assists and advises lenders with the process and unique considerations involved in financing an EOT transaction.

EY provides a full- service offering. Our services include:  evaluating the EOT against other alternatives, valuing the business, tax planning to ensure the best tax result is achieved, assistance in arranging financing, employee communication, and drafting the necessary legal documents.  Free initial discussion.

BMO has been an early leader for EOTs in Canada, having been at the forefront advocating for supportive legislation. With a 30-year track record of supporting employee ownership in the United States, BMO understands that selling to your employees isn’t just a single transaction. That’s why we bring experts in tax planning, transaction advisory and wealth management to the table to help business owners achieve a maximum return while feeling confident in the long-term success of their business and their employees.

Custos provides Trustee services for EOTs in Canada and ESOTs in the US.  The Firm has a US office and established its Canadian operations in 2021.  The Firm's Partners have successfully executed over 70 employee ownership transitions valued between $15 million and $1 billion.  Custos currently provides ongoing trustee-services to over 60 clients in the US and is actively seeking Canadian clients. The Firm’s Partners have spent their careers in financial and operational roles, including M&A, private equity and debt investing, and corporate finance.  

Rob acts primarily for private corporations and their shareholders. His broad-based tax practice includes business succession planning, cross-border tax advice, and corporate reorganizations for businesses in a variety of industries.

Maarschalk Valuations Inc (MVI) is a business valuations firm with clients across Canada. MVI has significant experience working with companies transitioning to employee ownership. MVI’s principal, Paul Maarschalk, has almost 40 years experience in financial services, as an in-house accountant, financial consultant, and, since 2008, as a business valuator. Paul has presented on valuations at several Employee Ownership Canada conferences. MVI is a partner in Maarschalk Partners, a boutique financial services firm providing senior level CFO services, valuations, and M&A advisory services.

We offer custom financing solutions for the complex challenges facing various industry sectors. You can rely on our team’s vast industry knowledge and commitment to communication. Our specialists listen to what you really need and quickly respond to your every question and concern. Whether it’s succession financing, expanding your business or acquiring capital equipment, we’re confident that we can craft a solution perfect for your business.

We can assist with the legal and tax aspects of Employee Ownership Trusts, including the initial planning and structuring, effecting reorganizations, and corporate maintenance. I am a tax lawyer with a keen long-standing interest in Employee Ownership Trusts, and Clark Wilson is a full service firm with very extensive practices in Private Company M&A as well as Trusts.

Rewrite Capital Advisors is an M&A advisory firm specializing exclusively in employee ownership trust (EOT) transactions.

Crowe Soberman is a full-service accounting firm based in Toronto. We deliver customized support to make Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) a reality for your business. Our team combines deep expertise in tax, legal, and financial planning to create tailored solutions that align with your goals. From feasibility assessments to implementation, we ensure a seamless process, empowering your employees and securing your legacy. We provide expert tax and accounting services to both the business owner that is selling to an EOT, as well as to the EOT that will be acquiring a controlling share of an operating business for the benefit of the employee beneficiaries.

Camilla Advisory Group Inc. helps small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) achieve their goals by providing professional expertise in Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory, ESOP/EOT Design and Implementation as well as providing Fractional CFOs to SMBs.

At Firefly Insights, we specialize in empowering businesses to transition to employee ownership, with a focus on long-term success and legacy preservation. With over 20 years of experience, we craft custom strategies using EOTs, ESOPs and hybrid approaches that are specifically designed to align with each business’s unique culture and goals. Our approach goes beyond the transaction; we guide business owners through the complexities of personal and professional dynamics, ensuring a smooth transition that both honors their legacy and inspires employees to embrace ownership.

We are valuation experts, we provide independent business valuations, commercial real estate appraisals and equipment appraisals to established companies and their professional advisors.  We give our clients peace-of-mind by providing independent professional valuations that stand up to scrutiny from the Courts and CRA. We are excited to help Canadian companies take advantage of the new Employee Ownership Trusts structures for the mutual benefit of the company owners, their employees and the communities they serve.   We answer the age-old question “what is it worth”.

Our Exit Planning services involve a comprehensive process that prepares the business owner for the eventual sale or transfer of their business. It encompas a strategic approach to maximize the value of the business, ensuring that the owner can achieve their financial and personal goals when transitioning. Employee Ownership is an attractive option beneficial to the employees and their community, and the owner through liquidity and tax incentives.

As Employee Share Ownership consultants, we’re pleased to be in the business of empowering Canadians (employees and owners) in ownership. We know that this structure has a positive impact on not only the economy, but society too. We have a unique passion for our work and that’s why we’re excellent at what we do. Learn more about our process for design, implementation & employee communication, and complete a free feasibility survey on our website https://esopbuilders.com/our-services/feasibility-survey/