Staff take ownership of city architecture practice
AN ARCHITECTURE practice formed in Birmingham more than half a century ago is now owned by its staff.
Associated Architects has become an employee ownership trust and also bolstered its leadership team with promotions to director level. The new structure is a form of trust which operates for the benefit of a company or its employees rather than external shareholders.
The firm, which is based at the Mailbox, said the move would secure the long-term future of the practice and maintain its independent structure as well as bring through the next generation of staff.
Associated Architects, which was founded in 1968 and also has offices in Leeds and Oxford, is forecasting continued growth, with turnover expected to hit £6 million for 2024/25 and staff numbers to increase to more than 65.
Following the switch to the trust model, the current directors – Warren Jukes, James Hall, Richard Perry and Steve Townsend – will all remain in place with no change to day-today operations.
In addition, Alex Paul has been promoted to director and Jonathan Dawson-Bowman to associate director in the Birmingham studio while Craig Reed becomes a director in Leeds and Tom Cotton associate director in Oxford.
Mr Jukes said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce that we are 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.
“The recent promotions reflect our plans for the next decade of sustainable organic growth, with those chosen for promotion having made a valuable contribution to their teams, the company and our clients and demonstrating a commitment to driving the practice forward into the next chapter.”
The firm’s roster of previous projects include the retrofit of office block 10 Brindleyplace in Birmingham, University station and the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium.