In this episode of Stake and Soul, Barry speaks with Adam Arnold, CEO of GearForm, the parent company of Nikwax and Paramáo, about leading a purpose-driven outdoor business through its transition to employee ownership.
Adam shares his journey from joining the company at 18 on the production line to becoming CEO nearly three decades later. He offers an inside look at how the group evolved into an employee-owned organisation while preserving its commitment to sustainability, ethical manufacturing and long-term stewardship.
He discusses the founder’s transition, the realities of leading across continents, the governance structures required in an employee-owned business, and the ongoing work needed to build an ownership mindset across a global workforce.
This is a thoughtful conversation for founders, leaders and employee-owned businesses seeking to balance profitability, purpose and long-term legacy.
What’s covered in this episode:
- Adam’s journey from apprentice to CEO and the internal progression that shaped his leadership.
- The growth of Nikwax and Paramáo into global brands operating across the UK, Colombia and North America.
- Why the founder chose employee ownership and how alternatives such as a management buyout were evaluated.
- Preparing for transition: leadership development, skills analysis and ensuring the business could succeed beyond its founder.
- Governance in practice: trust boards, partner councils and creating meaningful employee voice across multiple countries.
- The complexities of running a global EO business, including cultural differences, benefits structures and communication challenges.
- Building an ownership mindset and encouraging solution-focused engagement across teams.
- Balancing deferred consideration payments, reinvestment priorities and partner profit share after the transition.
- Sustaining purpose through environmental innovation, ethical manufacturing and social initiatives supporting vulnerable communities in Colombia.
Moments to listen out for:
- Adam describes his early days on the production line and the roles that kept him engaged for nearly 30 years.
- The founder’s “tests” designed to ensure the business was ready to thrive without him.
- How communication and education support employee ownership across different countries and cultures.
- The leadership shift from control to trust and empowering specialist expertise.
- Adam’s candid reflections on stress and leadership pressure during the COVID period.
Quickfire highlights
- Employee ownership is: a great way to maintain the core values of a business.
- Biggest EO surprise: becoming the CEO.
- Leadership insight: drop the ego, trust expertise and allow people to make decisions.
- Cultural priority: empowering partners and improving working conditions across the organisation.
This episode offers an honest look at the realities of leading through transition while safeguarding a company’s values. Adam’s journey demonstrates how employee ownership demands clarity, patience and consistent communication to take root across cultures and teams. It is a reminder that long-term success is built not only on structure and strategy, but on trust, shared purpose and the willingness to evolve.
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