Shinfield Studios architect Scott Brownrigg becomes employee owned

By Stephen Emerson

19 April 2022

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Shinfield Studios

A renowned architect firm, which counts Shinfield Studios on its project list, has announced it will be owned by its employees under an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

The firm has completed the process of transitioning from an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

Scott Brownrigg is ranked in the World Architecture top 100 Architects in the world and has studios in London, New York, Singapore, Amsterdam, Guildford, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

It is involved in a number of high profile building projects, detailed below, across the South East including Heathrow West, St George's College and the new CABI building.

This change is fundamental to achieving our business vision and strategy, supporting the next generation of ownership of the business and securing the legacy of #ScottBrownrigg for future generations.https://t.co/Qyj7Xbh4q9
— Scott Brownrigg (@ScottBrownrigg) April 19, 2022

The company was founded 112 years ago and has evolved from a partnership, to a limited company, to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), in which assets of the company are held on employees' behalf since 1993, to its current form as an EOT.

An EOT holds a permanent or long-term shareholding in a company on trust for the benefit of all the company’s employees therefore providing employees with indirect ownership of the company.

Scott Brownrigg say the move will allow all employees to contribute to the company's growth and will also mean they will have a say in succession planning.

The newly-created Trustee board consists of chief executive Darren Comber, chief financial officer, Ilze Williamson, independent Chair – Richard England and Employee Trust Members Jason Lebidineuse and Jack Williamson.

CEO Darren Comber said: "Providing a framework for effective career development and succession is one of the most challenging and important areas that any architectural practice faces in planning for the future. Ensuring there are opportunities for progression is fundamental to both individual satisfaction and the development of the practice.

"The decision to transition to an EOT was fundamentally aligned with the desire to meet key components to be able to fulfil the drivers and ambitions of the business vision and strategy; support the next generation of ownership of the business; provide the right platform for the business to succeed in the future; and maintain and secure the legacy of Scott Brownrigg for future generations.

"This is a major milestone in the enduring history of Scott Brownrigg to continue collectively building the practice of the future.”

Below are some of the flagship projects that Scott Brownrigg are involved in:

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.

Shinfield Studios

Shinfield Studios is a new state-of-the-art media hub at the Thames Valley Science Park [TSVP] in Berkshire.

The £250 million film and TV studios will provide approximately 85,000 square metres of sound stages, workshops, offices and ancillary spaces, becoming one of the largest film and TV studios in the UK.

Four stages are now ready for operation, with a Disney production confirmed to start in 2022. Once complete Shinfield Studios will create up to 3,000 new jobs and is expected to generate total inward investment to the UK economy of approximately £600 million each year.

St George's College

Scott Brownrigg was commissioned to design an activity centre to be located in the Greenbelt on the College’s Grade II listed park in Weybridge.

The firm's design comprises of a 6-court sports hall, climbing wall, large fitness suite, dance studio, changing facilities and flexible multi-use spaces for group activities, meetings, presentations, exhibitions and open days.

CABI

CABI, based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, apply scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Scott Brownrigg worked alongside Project Managers and Lead Consultant Ridge and Partners LLP (Ridge) to complete the low energy design that offers a two-storey office space and successfully integrates an experimental bio-diverse landscape with a new collaborative flexible working environment.

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the building responds to its surroundings with a living roof, which will attract insects and birds and enhance biodiversity. Inside, it hosts up to 180 members of staff, who are provided with a range of amenities including a café restaurant, meeting rooms and conference room / auditorium.

Heathrow West

Scott Browning were part of the team designing an alternative scheme for the Heathrow airport expansion for the new Terminal 6 Campus known as Heathrow West.

Its design incorporates a processor and a satellite pier connected with 300 m long passenger bridge spanning over aircraft stands and the taxiway. The bridge connects the new terminal to a satellite pier, offering a new passenger experience. The journey across the bridge will be an integral part of arriving, departing and transfer passenger journey.

The covered multi-modal transport interchange allows passengers to arrive by car, bus, taxi, bike or train, and separates the pedestrian from active vehicle flow. From the upper level passengers will experience the tree canopies and greenery of the levels below; all brought together under an arching vault roof. This covered plaza incorporates a railway station, hotels and below ground parking.

Three Rivers Academy

Scott Browning was commissioned to create a “world class learning environment” to inspire 21st Century learning.

Conceptually, the building form has an almost creature-like configuration; with the 6th Form & Library at the head, specialist teaching rooms & the Mall forming the spine, while the Sports & Drama faculties combine to define the tail end. The articulated pastoral Houses, spring from the body like four separately coloured limbs to define a bold skyline and roofscape.

The spatial arrangement promotes creativity, independent thinking and learning – breaking away from the traditional ‘receiver of knowledge’ mentality. A 160 meter multi-use space, coined by the students as ‘the Mall’ flows through the entire length of the building and is at the heart of the student experience. Open-plan breakout spaces in each House faculty block encourage & facilitate shared learning experiences.