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An East Kilbride firm have marked the first anniversary of their move to employee ownership.

Grossarts Associates marked a successful year by hiring new staff and being productive during lockdown.

During the COVID lockdown, the firm did not record any decline in business, with no staff furloughed. Extra temporary staff were even drafted in to help cope with increased work levels.

Managing director, Hector Munro, attributes much of the success to the company’s employee ownership, telling the News: “Now everyone has a real stake in Grossarts, we were determined the business will be a success.

“There is now a transparency with the numbers and we know what has to be done.

“There is a deep confidence that we will win through. That confidence extends to our customers.

“They know that the Grossarts team will deliver good results.”

The company’s employee ownership status has not only impressed customers, it has also

helped attract some top talent to the business. Kenny Campbell, Elspeth Brown and Cameron Colburn have all joined the business.

Former owners, Bill Grossart and John MacDonald, sold the business to an Employee

Ownership Trust in August 2019 in a deal part funded by Barclays Bank.

Both have remained with the business as employees and are delighted to see the success.

Bill said: “We had every confidence that the employees could take the business to the next level.

“It’s worked out well for John and me.

“We’re enjoying still being involved and feel more able to take time off and get a bit of life balance back.

“The team has risen to the challenge and taken on the responsibility of driving Grossarts forward.

“It’s great to see.”