RTC North, A North East-based company specialising in advising businesses on digital transformation, innovation, growth and more, is to transition to employee ownership.
Founded in Sunderland in 1989, and 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.
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 (pictured), 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.
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
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.
