Cornwall’s Hiyield Hands Majority Ownership to Employees in Bold People-First Move

Cornwall-based digital product studio Hiyield has officially become 80% employee-owned, giving its team a direct stake in the company’s future.

The transition comes through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), placing the long-term direction of the business in the hands of those who help build it every day.

Employee Ownership and B Corp Values

Hiyield, which also has teams in Bristol and London, is a certified B Corporation. The shift to employee ownership builds on its commitment to balancing profit with purpose, reinforcing its culture of collaboration, sustainability, and people-focused delivery.

The company now joins around 2,400 other employee-owned businesses in the UK and more than 2,500 B Corps, forming part of a growing movement focused on inclusive and sustainable ways of working.

“This is an exciting new chapter,” said Ben Short, Co-founder and Senior Developer at Hiyield, now serving as Employee Director. “We’ve always aimed to do things differently – with transparency, collaboration, and care. Becoming employee-owned takes that to the next level and gives our team a real stake in the future of Hiyield.”

Strengthening Collaboration and Care

The employee ownership model means Hiyield is collectively owned by a trust on behalf of its employees. It deepens the company’s commitment to its people, its purpose, and the planet.

“For us, this isn’t just about structure – it’s about values,” said Laura Hudspith, Head of Operations & Sustainability. “Employee ownership aligns closely with our B Corp principles. It means shared responsibility, meaningful collaboration, and delivering positive impact that’s felt by our team, clients, and the wider world.”

Clients of Hiyield can expect greater consistency and care, with employees directly invested in the success of every project. The company says this approach doubles down on strategic partnerships, problem-solving, and standout digital experiences with both people and planet in mind.

“We’ve always believed in building something that lasts,” added Matt Ville, Co-founder and CTO. “Moving to an EOT gives Hiyield the resilience and shared vision it needs for the future – while staying rooted in the values we care about. It’s a long-term investment in our people, our values, and the culture we’ve built together.”

About Hiyield

Hiyield helps startups, scaleups, and enterprises turn big ideas into high-performing and sustainable websites, web apps and digital tools. With expertise in software development, UX/UI design and digital strategy, the company prides itself on creating user-friendly solutions that minimise environmental impact and contribute to a fairer future.