Celebrating Three Years as CT's First Perpetual Purpose Trust-Owned Company
In June 2023, The Walker Group made history becoming Connecticut’s first Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT)-owned company. This milestone that permanently embedded our mission, values, and commitment to community impact into the future of our organization. Three years later, we’re reflecting on what this journey has meant for our employees, our clients, our community, and the growing movement toward purpose-driven ownership.
Long before becoming PPT-owned, we operated as a Social Enterprise, committed to reinvesting in our employees and community. Becoming a registered Benefit Corporation in 2014 formalized that commitment. Transitioning to a Perpetual Purpose Trust in 2023 ensured those values could never be undone or lost through a traditional sale.
As our founder, Kate Emery, shared when making the transition:
“I spent my entire career building a different kind of business and I needed to ensure that no one person could ever un-do this work.”
That belief remains at the center of who we are today: Business should be used as a force for good.
Why Purpose-Driven Ownership Matters
Traditional business succession often results in companies being sold to the highest bidder frequently leading to consolidation, cultural erosion, relocation, or the loss of local jobs and community impact. Progressive ownership models like Perpetual Purpose Trusts (PPTs) and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) offer another path.
These models prioritize long-term stewardship over short-term extraction. They help preserve local businesses, protect employees, maintain company culture, and keep economic impact rooted in the communities where businesses were built.
For us, becoming PPT-owned means:
- Our company cannot be sold
- Our social enterprise mission is legally protected
- Our culture and stakeholder-focused values are preserved
- Our employees and community remain central to our success
- Our impact can continue for generations to come
It’s a sustainable and deeply intentional model for business succession. A model we believe more business owners should explore.
A Growing Movement
This year, Jessica Rich, co-CEO attended the inaugural Purpose Trust Ownership Network (PTON) Conference in Austin, TX, where leaders from PPT and EOT organizations across the country gathered to share experiences, lessons learned, and connect on the future of stewardship-based ownership.
Reflecting on the experience, Jessica shared:
“Being surrounded by leaders of Perpetual Purpose Trust and Employee Ownership Trust companies — people who are building businesses grounded in purpose, generosity, and long-term stewardship — hit me harder than I expected.”
She also noted:
“I left feeling seen, energized, and more connected than ever to a movement I didn’t fully realize The Walker Group was already part of.”
For a company that helped pioneer this model in Connecticut, the conference reinforced something important: this isn’t simply an alternative business structure — it’s part of a growing movement across the nation. Companies are rethinking what ownership, leadership, and long-term success can look like.
Continuing the Conversation During Our 40th Anniversary Year
As we celebrate both our 40th anniversary and our third year as a PPT-owned company, we’re committed not only to living this model, but also to advocating for it.
That’s why we’re continuing to host conversations around Perpetual Purpose Trusts, Employee Ownership Trusts, and other non-traditional succession models that prioritize people, purpose, and in our case: our social enterprise mission.
On June 4th, we’ll be hosting our upcoming webinar:
This webinar will feature business owners and leaders — including connections made through the PTON conference — sharing real-world experiences about choosing purpose-driven succession over traditional sales.
Attendees will hear candid discussions about:
- Why owners chose PPT or EOT models
- Lessons learned during the transition process
- The impact on employees and culture
- How these models preserve independence and mission
- What other business owners should know when exploring succession options
We believe these conversations are more important than ever as many business owners begin planning for retirement and transition in the coming years. A period often called "The Silver Tsunami" as so many in a generation are exiting.
Learn more and register here: Beyond the Traditional Sale Webinar – June 4th
Looking Ahead
Three years into this journey, we remain incredibly proud of the path we chose. Becoming Connecticut’s first Perpetual Purpose Trust-owned company wasn’t simply a structural change, it was a commitment to preserving what matters most.
Our people.
Our purpose.
Our community.
Our impact.
And as we look ahead to the next 40 years, we remain committed to proving that business can succeed while putting people and purpose at the center.
WE ARE PROUD TO BE
More Recent News
