“Built by our people, now owned by them”: Sussex-based school travel firm becomes the first in its industry to move to employee ownership

Select School Travel, the school trip specialist based in Sussex, is now owned by the company’s employees, after transferring to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This makes it the first school travel package tour operator to take this step, and to be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.

From its home on Church Road in Burgess Hill, the formerly family-owned business takes pupils from hundreds of schools across the UK on trips worldwide, with more than 110 trips across 13 countries and its own château in Normandy, used exclusively by school groups. It has been based in the town since 2015 and employs 35 people locally.

Select School Travel said its colleagues, who plan and deliver trips for schools across the UK, are the reason schools trust it, and that employee ownership is a way of recognising that. It also secures the company’s long-term independence by placing its future in their hands.

Under the new structure, every employee will share directly in the long-term success of the business and will have a voice in how the company develops, in consultation with the management team. Roles, terms and conditions, and day-to-day operations stay the same, and the company’s culture and values are protected.

Martyn Bowden, previously Chairman, becomes one of several trustees of the trust on behalf of employees, continuing the legacy of his late father, John Bowden, a pioneer of the school travel industry who spent over 40 years creating travel experiences for young people.

Martyn Bowden, former chairman and now trustee, said: “Select School Travel was built by our people, and now it is owned by them. We take schools around the world, but Burgess Hill is home, and this is our way of saying thank you to the people who work here. Employee ownership means the benefits of our success stay with the team and with the town that supports us, and it secures good local jobs for the long term.”

The transfer took effect on 26 October 2026, following two years of careful planning.