By Saskia Koopman The number of UK businesses transferring ownership to employees through Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) has surged as business owners seek tax-efficient exits. New research by Lubbock Fine accountancy firm shows EOTs, which allow entrepreneurs to sell their shares to employees via a trust, reached 542 last year, up 27 per cent – the highest annual figure since the EOT model was introduced in 2014. Over the past five years, the number of new EOTs has skyrocketed by 2,750 per cent, with many entrepreneurs favouring the tax-efficient structure. Owners selling into trusts don’t …