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Shinfield Studios architect Scott Brownrigg becomes employee owned

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Stephen Emerson

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.

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:

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.