[Photo Caption: RTC Chief Executive, Jamie Ollivere]
RTC North has today announced its transition to employee ownership, marking a major milestone in the organisation’s evolution and securing its long term mission to support innovation, skills and business growth across the North of England.
RTC North, a Certified B Corporation, was founded in Sunderland in 1989 and is transitioning to Employee Ownership, placing the business in the collective stewardship of its employees and ensuring its purpose, values, and regional commitment are protected for generations to come.
Headquartered in Sunderland city centre, RTC North operates across the North East, North West, and Yorkshire and Humber, combining strong local roots with a pan Northern reach that supports innovation, skills development and business growth. The transition reflects both pride in place and a forward looking commitment to contribute to the region’s economic renewal. By anchoring high value, mission led organisations in city centres, employee ownership supports sustainable jobs, stronger local economies and renewed civic confidence – while remaining firmly connected to the wider North of England.
A people first model for long term impact
Becoming employee-owned places ownership directly in the hands of RTC North’s people, aligning governance with social purpose and ensuring that those who deliver impact every day have a meaningful stake in the organisation’s future.
Jamie Ollivere, Chief Executive of RTC North, said:
“Employee ownership is the natural next step for RTC North and for the communities we serve. Our people have always been at the heart of what we do – supporting businesses to innovate, compete and grow. This structure safeguards our values, strengthens our future, and ensures the benefits of our success are shared by those who create it.”
“While we are proud of our roots in Sunderland and our role in the city’s regeneration, RTC North remains unequivocally committed to all regions of the North of England. Employee ownership gives us the stability and confidence to keep investing in people, partnerships and places right across the North.”
By transitioning now, RTC North adds weight to the case for employee ownership as a vital part of the UK’s impact economy, particularly in regions where inclusive growth, innovation and long term investment are central to economic renewal.
What this means for RTC North
Under the new structure:
• An independent Employee Ownership Trust now holds a controlling interest in RTC North on behalf of its employees
• Day to day operations continue to be led by the existing leadership team, ensuring continuity for clients and partners
• Employees gain a stronger voice, deeper involvement and a long term stake in the organisation’s direction
• RTC North’s values, culture and regional mission are protected for the future
Built on a legacy of innovation and practical support
RTC North’s foundations were laid in the early days of the digital economy by Jamie’s father, now Life President Gordon Ollivere MBE. Gordon began his career as a computer programmer in the 1980s, at a time when microcomputers were just beginning to transform how businesses operated.
Recognising the opportunity and the challenge facing small firms, he set out to help businesses adopt new technologies, improve productivity and develop new products through practical support and links to universities and research institutions.
Under his leadership, RTC North built its reputation by employing experienced advisors who could work alongside business owners to solve immediate, day to day challenges, whether in technology adoption, manufacturing improvement or market research, while also forming long term relationships that evolved as businesses grew and diversified.
Gordon Ollivere MBE said:
“RTC North was founded on the belief that small businesses thrive when they have access to practical expertise, trusted advice and the confidence to innovate. From the early days of microcomputers to today’s complex business challenges, our focus has always been on helping firms turn ideas into reality.”
“Becoming employee-owned is a natural extension of that philosophy. It protects the culture we built, recognises the contribution of our people, and ensures RTC North remains a trusted partner for businesses across the North for decades to come.”
Aligned with national priorities for productivity, resilience and good work across the UK economy
RTC North’s transition comes at a time when employee ownership is gaining increasing national attention. The Employee Ownership Association (EOA) has highlighted the strong evidence linking employee ownership to higher productivity, greater resilience and improved workforce engagement.
“Employee ownership gives us the governance and stability needed to invest in our people, back our partnerships and deliver lasting impact across the North,” Jamie Ollivere added. “It ensures accountability, fairness and shared benefit remain central to who we are.”
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