What if the best buyer for your business is already working inside it?

In this episode of Are You Ready?, Neil Cockburn is joined by John Stevens, founder of Camilla Advisory Group and a long-time advocate for employee ownership, to explore how Employee Share Ownership Plans can offer a powerful and often overlooked path for business transition.

With more than 35 years of experience in senior financial and leadership roles across private, public, and private equity-backed companies, John brings deep insight into how employee ownership can be successfully implemented. He shares how ESOPs can provide business owners with an alternative to traditional sales, while also creating long-term value, engagement, and stability within the organization.

The conversation explores why employee ownership is gaining traction in Canada, how it compares to third-party sales, and what business owners need to consider before pursuing this path. John also reflects on his decades-long passion for employee ownership and the impact it can have on culture, performance, and legacy.

This episode offers a practical and forward-looking perspective on exit planning. It challenges business owners to think differently about succession and consider whether the next generation of ownership might already be part of their team.

About John Stevens‍

John M. Stevens, CPA, CMA, brings over 35 years of experience in business and accounting, including more than 25 years in senior leadership roles across private companies, public companies, and private equity-backed organizations. Throughout his career, he has been directly involved in implementing Employee Share Ownership Plans and has developed a deep expertise in this area.

John is the founder of Camilla Advisory Group Inc., where he works with organizations to design and implement employee share plans. He has been a passionate advocate for employee ownership for over three decades and previously served as a board member with Employee Ownership Canada.
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About Neil Cockburn‍

Neil Cockburn is a Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA),Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and the Director of Family Enterprise Advisory Services at Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP. With more than 40 years of experience working alongside business owners and family enterprises, Neil specializes in succession planning, intergenerational wealth transition, and estate strategy. He is known for helping families navigate complex transitions with clarity and confidence—always grounded in one central question: Are you ready for what comes next?