London, UK – Participation in one of the UK’s most widely used all-employee savings schemes has reached a record low, sparking concerns among politicians and industry experts. Sharesave, a savings scheme introduced in the early 1980s, allows employees to save monthly and receive share options at maturity. However, recent data has shown a significant decline in participation, raising concerns about the scheme’s accessibility for the workers it was originally intended to support.
Yesterday, on November 25, 2025, HM Government released its long-awaited responses to the 2023 call for evidence on employee share schemes, confirming the sharp decline in Sharesave participation. Less than 24 hours later, ShareMore, a financial-wellbeing benefit, announced a substantial new funding round to address this issue.
Sharesave has historically enabled millions of workers to build savings, but rising living costs have made it increasingly difficult for eligible employees to participate. The decline in participation has garnered attention from MPs and members of the Treasury Select Committee, who are questioning whether lower-income workers are being priced out of the scheme.
Industry groups, including ProShare, have also raised concerns about affordability being a significant barrier to participation and have urged policymakers and employers to consider additional support mechanisms to promote broad participation.
In response to these concerns, ShareMore, a fintech company focused on widening access to Sharesave, has launched an EIS-eligible fundraising round. The company aims to bridge the affordability gap without requiring any changes to employer processes or Sharesave itself.
Through ShareMore, employees can participate in their employer’s existing Sharesave plan through payroll, under standard rules and protections. Employees who cannot afford monthly contributions can opt for support of up to £100 per month. This support is not a loan, does not accrue interest, and does not create debt. It is also not repayable if the plan ends without a gain or if the employee leaves the company early. If the plan matures with a gain, the employee and ShareMore share the profit, but if it does not, the employee owes nothing.
ShareMore identifies eligible employees by monitoring publicly available information on plan openings and enrollment periods. The company then notifies employees of their option to use the support service. Interested employees can access guidance on how Sharesave works and how ShareMore can help them participate without committing savings they may not have. The goal is to support workers, many of whom may be first-time investors in the UK stock market, to participate in Sharesave without any financial risk.
Ahead of its launch, ShareMore has engaged with employers, administrators, and share-plan specialists across various sectors. The company’s efforts have received widespread interest, reflecting the broader concern about the decline in Sharesave participation and the impact of affordability pressures on employee access. Workers from across the country have also registered to receive updates as the service prepares to launch.
ShareMore’s operating model was developed with the input of a leading international law firm and does not alter employer responsibilities, scheme administration, or regulatory categorization. Employers can continue to run their plans as usual, and employees can participate under existing rules.
The ShareMore leadership team brings together professionals with experience in public-market finance, financial technology, data science, and institutional banking. Between them, the executives have held senior roles in major banks and investment banks, founded and exited multiple technology start-ups, and taken a financial services company public on the London Stock Exchange.
The four founders of ShareMore have personally experienced the benefits of Sharesave during their own careers, giving their mission both professional credibility and a deep personal commitment. The idea for the company emerged from their own lived experiences, where each member had benefited from Sharesave at some point in their career and had seen its transformative impact. They also witnessed how many of their colleagues wanted to participate but were unable to due to financial constraints. This combination of personal insight and professional experience became the driving force behind ShareMore.
The company’s objective is to ensure that Sharesave remains an accessible, broad-based savings opportunity despite economic pressures that may hinder participation. To achieve this goal, ShareMore plans to use funds raised through the EIS round to support its national rollout, compliance operations, and financial education initiatives. The company will finance employee support through regulated lending partners, rather than investor capital.
Employees can check if their employer offers a Sharesave plan and register for updates on the ShareMore website. ShareMore also invites employers, share-plan administrators, regulators, and policymakers to request briefings on the company’s operating model and approach.
For more information, please contact info@sharemore.co.