We are pleased to announce that effective from now Associated Architects has transferred ownership of the practice to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The move means 100% of the shareholding has been placed in Trust, putting our future in the hands of our employees. This will secure the long-term future of the practice, bringing through the next generation of leadership and allowing all staff to share in our successes.
The transition to an EOT allows us to guarantee our long-term independence, whilst broadening ownership and maintaining the highest standards of service delivery. The same leadership and team remain in place and clients will experience no change in the high quality of service they expect from us.
We were founded in 1968, with the ‘Associated Architects’ name representing the collective endeavours of our people, rather than any individual. Our founding values hold true today and have resulted in over 55 years of award-winning and innovative project work, across a wide range of sectors.
With our team now 60 strong, operating from our Birmingham, Leeds and Oxford bases, we are forecasting continued growth this year. We see the EOT as the best platform to sustain a continued culture of creativity within the practice and to allow all involved to participate in the potential reward for many years to come.
Warren Jukes, Founding Director of the LLP, said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce that we are building on our heritage, securing our long-term independence, and broadening ownership by becoming an Employee Ownership Trust. Our people are our biggest asset and this move enables us to ensure the company will be run in the long-term interest of our employees and will preserve the culture and values that have been the bedrock of five decades of success.
“This move will allow us to continue to provide our clients with our extensive experience and expertise, whilst maintaining the values, service, and flexibility of an independent practice. James, Richard and Steve and I are hugely excited about continuing to deliver great service to our clients under the aegis of the EOT.”