Brabners‘ specialist EOT team – recognised as one of the most active in the UK market – has advised London-based creative production studio Knock Knock on its transition to employee ownership.
Founded in 2009 by Daniel Chaput de Saintonge, Knock Knock is a creative production studio offering end-to-end video, content and post-production services. With roots in London’s advertising industry, the studio has evolved into a trusted creative partner working directly with major global brands including Ralph Lauren, Lululemon and Three Mobile.
The studio – which recently launched sister company Junior, specialising in content for children and families – has enjoyed a period of significant investment and expansion, delivering double-digit growth year-on-year since the pandemic.
To help protect the business’ independent culture and creative agility amid this ongoing growth, ownership has now been transferred to its team of 12 employees. The existing leadership team of Chaput de Saintonge and commercial director Nick Priestley will remain actively involved in the business as it seeks to expand its client base, having recently incorporated in the United States.
The process was managed by Brabners’ specialist EOT team, led by Manchester-based legal director Daniel Finn. The law firm is recognised as one of the most active legal advisors in the employee ownership market, having supported more than 50 transitions in the past four years – with over £250 million worth of deals completed in 2025 alone.
Daniel Chaput de Saintonge, founder and CEO at Knock Knock, said: “We’ve spent 16 years building a company culture that attracts brilliant people and allows us to deliver smart, agile solutions for clients who are often many times our size. That independence and creative spirit is what makes us valuable to the brands we work with – and it’s exactly what we want to protect.
“Employee ownership felt like the right way to secure our future without losing what we’ve built. With the support of Brabners, we’ve been able to put in place a structure that rewards our team, preserves our values and gives us a platform to keep growing.”
Daniel Finn, legal director at Brabners’, said: “Knock Knock is a fantastic example of a founder-led creative business that has built real value through its culture and client relationships. Employee ownership will allow the leadership team to consider its legacy succession planning while ensuring the business remains independent and continues to thrive.
“For businesses like Knock Knock – where creativity and close client partnerships are central to success – the EOT model provides continuity and shared purpose that a traditional sale simply can’t replicate. We look forward to watching the firm continue its journey under this new structure.”
