Would you like to join the award-winning team at the eCommerce Agency of the Year? We’re always looking for people who share our passion for eCommerce SEO, commitment to excellent client service, and most importantly, our company values.
How did we become employee-owned?
NOVOS began way back in March 2018, when Sam and Antonio (our two co-founders) decided to challenge the agency model and make a place where people thrive in their work. Company culture was incredibly important and they initiated a 360-degree approach to employee benefits with a strong focus on mental wellbeing and aiding professional development.
In 2022 we became Employee Owned and The People Committee was established to work on important initiatives and changes to develop NOVOS culture and reflect our values, as well as listening to the wider team and voice ideas to the board of NOVOS for discussion.
In March 2022, Sam and Antonio sold 90% of their shares to the staff, using a similar approach as John Lewis via an employee ownership trust. This means that every person who works at NOVOS is a co-owner of the business!
Why?
Here are the 3 core reasons why we became Employee Owned:
Values
Our company has always been ‘people-first,’with so many agencies using this but don't actually live and breathe it internally. We have gone a step further and are now a ‘people-led’ agency, led by the staff that helped build the company to where it is today.
Everyone gets rewarded
Through a traditional sale of an agency, the team that has helped to build the company don’t get any benefits from the sale. The founders, and a select few with shares, benefit from any dividends/rewards from a sale, while the staff are left with the transition to a much larger company often with a completely different culture. This way, everyone’s rewarded.
Longevity
The longevity of the business is maintained as with so many incredible independent agencies of the past that are now non-existent after they’ve been absorbed into their parent company. This way, NOVOS can live on for longer as both Sam and Antonio continue to support its growth.
Quite simply it meant that everyone had more ownership, responsibility and accountability for the success of the company. We’ve always believed if the company looks after the people, they look after clients, which looks after our growth and are now a “people-led” agency. We’re rewarded by being able to make meaningful changes to current company policies and processes through our People Committee, and we all share the financial benefits as the business grows.
Find our more about why we become Employee Owned here
Our Diversity and Inclusion pledge
“NOVOS and our employees will strive to create an open, inclusive and accessible culture. This will be underpinned by fair, inclusive and accessible recruitment practices and sharing all our best practice with the rest of the sector, our clients and the wider public.”
Read more about how we support our employees on our blog.
Testimonials
And to prove we’re not making it up, we’ve got the team to highlight some of the ways that NOVOS has supported their personal lives too!
Holly Mason, Digital PR Strategist
Working at NOVOS has been amazing for me and my mental health. The flexible working options allow me to balance my career and personal life and having the option to go into the office is great to see members of the team. The unlimited holiday is especially a fantastic benefit as it's great not having to worry about how many days I can book off and the company closes for 2 weeks at Christmas meaning all staff can truly switch off and relax!
Mark McMeekin, Head of PR
Working at NOVOS allows me to perfectly balance my busy family life with work. Both the unlimited holiday, along with the personal care day allowance, coupled with the flexible working means I'm always around for school pick ups, days off in the holidays and just generally present in my home life.
Robert Congdon, SEO Strategist
One of the most difficult things about starting a new job is when suddenly things in your personal life come up and you need some time off or even an afternoon to get these things sorted. When I first started at NOVOS I was moving house, but the team were understanding and the companies flexible working policy meant I had extra time in the mornings to get things done and still make my afternoon meetings.
Nine van Strydonck, Head of Operations
I’m so grateful for NOVOS’ flexibility and trust in employees. It’s so much easier to have a healthy work-life balance when we’re encouraged to make time for both the small and big things in life. I don’t have to stress about finding time for doctor’s appointments or going to the post office on a weekday, or taking a walk when I need a break. Most importantly, NOVOS’ generous holiday scheme means I can travel abroad to see my family without having to worry about not having enough leave throughout the year!
Daniel Cartland, Delivery Director
Personally, I’ve found NOVOS’ benefits to be fantastic at supporting my work-life balance, making the working day enjoyable, and ensuring I can perform to the best of my abilities. Unlimited holiday sometimes gets a bad rap, however, I find being able to take a day off without the stress of counting down holiday days remaining to be amazing. Add on top of this specific birthday days off, and personal care days each quarter, time to recharge away from work is always encouraged. I often also use the flexible working policy to make sure I can walk my brilliant dog Jasper in the day, or get a gym session in whilst it’s a bit less busy. As a keen (but unsuccessful) sportsman, access to physiotherapy via Medicash has been a lifesaver and super easy to use. Whilst in work, the Assembly recognition software is fantastic to show colleagues you appreciate their work and support beyond a “thank you”. It’s also always nice to receive this feedback and recognition (and getting a free takeaway with the points built up is never a bad thing!).