Key Production Group establishes employee ownership trust

Packaging Solutions Design Solutions

Key Production Group has announced it has set up an employee ownership trust (EOT).

Founded by Karen Emanuel and comprising of four brands within the group – Key Production (bespoke physical music products), Think Tank (sustainable creative packaging for the high end market), Breed Media (Sheffield based music and media manufacturer) and Modo Design (Brighton based design studio), a ‘Key Production EOT’ has been established, where the ownership has been transferred from CEO Karen Emanuel to the trust on behalf of the staff. 

Having founded the business as Key Production in 1990, acting as an intermediary for artists and labels to have their music pressed to physical records, CDs and cassettes, Karen Emanuel has expanded operations to become the largest agency of its kind in Europe. Over more than three decades, Key Production has worked on projects for a swathe of musical talent including Radiohead, Nick Cave, Alt-J, Idles, Little Simz, Ezra Collective and many more, winning awards and becoming widely renowned across the industry. Key Production acquired Think Tank, Breed Media and Modo Design in 2011, 2015 and 2016, respectively, to create Key Production Group – which recently celebrated its 33⅓ anniversary.

Karen Emanuel remains as CEO as well as a director of both Key Production and the newly formed Key Production Employee Owned Trust. The trust represents the staff (now co-owners) and boasts a board of 100% women, the other directors being Lisa Edwards (group head of production and an employee of 28 years) and Rebecca Mills (partner, BBS Law). The company remains highly focused on strategy, development and growth – with ambitious plans in place over the next few years.

Karen said, ‘After just over 33⅓ years of being the sole director and owner at Key Production, it is time for me to secure the next 33⅓ years. I am truly excited to do this by setting up an employee ownership trust, to empower the people that have helped me build the company and amazing culture that is Key Production, namely the staff. I will be staying on as CEO to transition us into this next stage of growth and development.’

With this new model, Key Production Group can continue to deliver its packaging design solutions, service the demand for sustainable packaging products and identify new areas of growth domestically and internationally.

As a Certified B-Corp, Key Production Group will continue its responsibility ensuring sustainable practices are in place across the business and remain central to its strategy as an employee owned trust moving forward.