Lane & Lane Media integrate as Lane Group and become Employee-Owned — securing our creative and strategic independence, strengthening our culture of collaboration, and setting us up for the next stage of growth.

Independence has always been part of Lane’s DNA. It’s shaped the way we think, the way we work, and the relationships we’ve built with our clients for almost 18 years. It’s given us permission to stay curious, stay creative, and stay true to our values.

Today, we’re proud to share the next chapter in that story: Lane is now employee-owned.

In mid-November 2025, we completed a major step in our succession strategy — the reintegration of our creative, digital and media divisions into one fully unified agency, and the transfer of a majority shareholding into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

These twin moves mark a significant milestone in Lane’s evolution, strengthening our position as one of Scotland’s largest truly integrated, employee-owned agencies — and laying the foundations for long-term independence, empowered teams, and even greater value for our clients.

Stronger together

Lane began in 2008 as a fully integrated agency. Over the years, we’ve expanded across creative, digital, brand, content, media and performance — building specialist divisions while still operating under one roof.

In 2015, when Barry and Ali co-founded Lane Media, we doubled down on our belief that brilliant work happens when creative thinking and media performance come together.

Today, we’re completing the circle.

By bringing our creative/digital and media teams back together structurally, we’re removing the last remaining borders — creating more shared opportunities for our people and unlocking more insight-driven, effective campaigns for clients.

Employee ownership for the future

Alongside integration, Lane is now majority employee-owned through an Employee Ownership Trust — a governance model that protects our independence, strengthens transparency, and ensures fairer sharing of success.

Developed as part of our succession strategy, the EOT keeps Lane free-thinking and culturally aligned, while giving every member of the team a formal voice and a real stake in the agency’s future.

“Our shift to employee ownership isn’t just structural — it safeguards the values that have always set Lane apart: collaboration, independence and a performance-driven ethos.” – Ali Findlay

It’s a natural extension of our B-Corp commitment to people, planet and performance — embedding Lane’s values into the heart of our governance.

The Trust will include the two founder trustees, two employee trustees – Rob Schmitt and Stacey Wright, and an independent trustee — industry expert and long time trusted consultant of Lane Group, Mark Probert — ensuring clarity and shared accountability on all major decisions.

Continuity where it matters

While the ownership structure has changed, our leadership and client experience remain consistent.

The agency continues to be led by our Group Board, with the same people at the helm although some in new roles.  Ali Findlay moves to the Chair role, Barry Fearn becomes CEO in a Group capacity, and Paul Borthwick has been promoted to Managing Director of Lane Media. Chris Bruce continues as Managing Director of Lane and Ian Duncan, becomes Innovation Director across Group:

Ali Findlay, Chair
Barry Fearn, CEO, Lane Group
Chris Bruce, Managing Director, Lane
Paul Borthwick, Managing Director, Lane Media
Ian Duncan, Innovation Director

It’s a leadership team that has worked together for more than 15 years — united by the same ambition: to grow Lane in a way that protects its culture, modernises its model, and delivers exceptional performance for clients.

“Lane’s independence has always been one of our greatest strengths. This structure gives us long-term stability with the same leadership and a renewed sense of shared purpose.” – Barry Fearn

With thanks

Transitions of this scale require thought, experience and specialist advice. We are deeply grateful to the advisors who guided us through the legal, financial and governance complexities of becoming employee-owned and re-integrating the business:

Carole Leslie, Ownership Associates
Alan Watt, Reference Point
Ewan Regan & Bruce Farquhar, Anderson Strathern
Sheryl Macaulay, EQ Accountants
Gavin Tosh, Clerwood Legal

Their expertise and counsel were invaluable in bringing this transition to life with confidence and clarity.

Looking ahead

As we begin this next chapter, our mission stays the same:

To be Scotland’s most collaborative, creative and performance-driven integrated agency — owned by the people who shape it every day.

It’s not a change of who we are,
it’s a promise that
we’ll always be Lane.