An abbreviation for approved deferred share trust; a trust fund that a company creates for the purpose of buying shares in itself for the sake and benefit of its employees (in an employee share ownership scheme). The company distributes the shares according to a pre-approved formula to all full-time staff members who meet specific eligibility criteria. The company pays a reduced rate of tax on the shares, and then only when shares are sold (in order to get tax relief, shares must be kept in trust for three years).

This is a British share-based scheme (in addition to other types such as savings-related share options, company-share option plans, and employee share ownership plans).