Sydney, Australia — Blue Harbour Capital, in partnership with global employee ownership platform Valloop, today announced the launch of Australia’s first complete ecosystem for employee-owned business succession.
Designed to support business owners, leadership teams, employees and the professional partners who work alongside them, this new model brings together the tools, finance, education and support required to deliver successful employee-led buyouts (ELBOs) and employee ownership transitions (EOTs) at scale.
More than 350,000 Australian SMEs are expected to require an ownership transition over the next decade. While employee ownership is widely recognised as a powerful way to preserve legacy, jobs and business continuity, many organisations struggle to access a clear pathway, aligned expertise and the coordinated infrastructure required to make it happen.
This partnership changes that.
“Employee ownership cannot scale without the right environment around it,” said David Harris, Managing Director of Blue Harbour Capital. “This ecosystem brings together the expertise, systems, and support needed before, during and after a transition, creating a practical and sustainable pathway for Australian businesses.”
A Complete Ecosystem for Employee Ownership
The joint initiative combines three interconnected elements to support successful transitions:
1. Specialist Advisory and Delivery Network (Blue Harbour Capital)
A nationwide ecosystem of legal, tax, accounting and leadership experts providing:
- Legal structuring for employee ownership
- Tax planning for vendors and employees
- Business valuation and transaction support
- Governance design and implementation
This ensures that every transition is supported by the right expertise at each stage of the journey.
2. Readiness, Education and Capability Building (Blue Harbour Capital & Valloop)
Both Blue Harbour and Valloop have each developed structured programs for:
- Business owners preparing for succession
- Leadership teams stepping into new responsibilities
- Employees becoming future co-owners
These programmes build alignment, knowledge and confidence across the organisation, ensuring that all stakeholders are equipped for the move to employee ownership.
3. Enabling Platform and Infrastructure (Valloop)
Valloop provides the technology, frameworks and connectivity that power the ecosystem:
- Streamlined diagnostics and due diligence
- Secure, collaborative workspaces for multiple stakeholders
- Surety products backed by global AAA and AA reinsurers
- Interest-free deferred consideration for vendors
- Blended debt and equity structures without personal guarantees
“Valloop’s role is to remove friction and connect the moving parts of a complex transition,” said Hunter Page, Director of Valloop Australia. “Through this ecosystem, businesses gain access to clarity, structure and continuity. Financing is part of the solution but it is not the starting point. The real value is the connected pathway this partnership creates.”
How the Ecosystem Works
Phase 1: Assessment and Alignment
Blue Harbour conducts an in-depth business and succession readiness review. Owners, leadership teams and employees participate in structured assessments and education to establish shared understanding and direction.
Phase 2: Design and Transition
Legal, tax and governance frameworks are developed with specialist partners, while Valloop’s platform coordinates workflows, documentation and stakeholder engagement. Where required, appropriate funding structures are introduced to support the transaction.
Phase 3: Implementation and Ongoing Support
Following transition, Blue Harbour provides continued leadership and governance support to strengthen performance, embed ownership culture and ensure long-term success.
Why This Matters
This ecosystem addresses the scale and complexity of Australia’s succession challenge by creating a repeatable, supported and scalable pathway for employee ownership.
- Business owners gain a credible, values-aligned succession option
- Employees step into ownership with preparation and support
- Professional partners are equipped to guide clients confidently
- Communities retain businesses, jobs and local knowledge
“This is about preserving what matters, strengthening Australian SMEs and looking to a future where more people share in the value they help to create,” added Harris.
