Leading evangelical publisher The Good Book Company is becoming fully employee-owned.
The firm says the decision, which takes effect from September, gives "staff a collective voice in the company’s direction and ensuring that the company’s mission, values, and commitment to high-quality Christian resources will be preserved for generations to come."
It follows a similar decision from UK toyshop chain The Entertainer, founded by Christians Gary and Catherine Grant, which is handing over ownership of the business to its 1,900 employees.
Good Book Company Founders Tim and Kathy Thornborough, and the three other shareholding directors, will transfer 100 percent ownership to an independent Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) which will ensure that the company continues to operate in line with its founding values and mission, and will provide accountability from staff members and independent trustees.
For Tim, who started the company in 1991, this transition follows careful succession planning and reflects his desire to see the company’s mission outlast his own tenure.
“This is about stewardship," he says. "Our goal has always been to serve the church with faithful, accessible resources, and the Lord has entrusted us with a ministry we love.
"He’s also blessed us with a talented and committed team who share the founding vision, theological convictions, and ministry goals that underpin our mission.
"So, by placing the company in their hands, we’re safeguarding that mission for decades to come and keeping Christ at the heart of everything we do.”
The directors are handing the company over in a strong financial position: it carries no debt, is consistently profitable, and has grown remarkably since its humble beginnings. Over the years, it has navigated the shifting publishing landscape with a focus on what it describes as "quality content, strong partnerships, and a commitment to Biblical truth".
Tim and Kathy will remain involved in the company, but from September 2025, day-to-day leadership will be in the hands of joint CEOs James Burstow and Carl Laferton. Together, they will guide the company forward with the backing of the newly formed trust.
Independent Trustee Matthew Dalton, who previously worked for John Lewis, the UK’s best-known employee-owned company, said: “Safeguarding the mission of Christian organisations is vital work.
"It’s great to see the transition to a structure that will keep the business agile and creative, while giving powerful checks and balances to maintain the founding values and company direction.”
US Customer Service Manager Calista Doty added: “I am deeply honoured to be the first Employee Trustee representing our rapidly growing US team.
"This transition to an Employee Ownership Trust will unify and strengthen the warm and productive transatlantic bonds that we already enjoy, as well as reinforcing our sense of purpose and investment in a ministry that we care so passionately about.”
“We’re excited about the future,” said Tim. “This move ensures that the ministry of The Good Book Company will remain true to our founding principles—not only in what we publish, but also in how we go about our ministry.
"At the same time, it will enable us to continue our growth and serve even more people around the world with great gospel resources that magnify and proclaim the Lord Jesus.”
