Specialist building company becomes employee-owned

Specialist building company Mike Whitfield Construction has become an employee-owned trust (EOT) in a move designed to secure the company’s long-term future, protect its values, and reward the team who helped build its success.

Founded in 2006 by Mike Whitfield (68) who was already a sole trader and a carpenter by trade, the company has gone from strength to strength specialising in (so-called ‘passiv haus’ and eco projects) energy efficient and passive house construction in the Herefordshire area.

Today the team of 11 have a new senior management team and a new ethos where every employee has a stake in its future success.

“We have a really harmonious team,” said Mike. “This gives me confidence for the future and although I’ll exit gradually from the projects I’m personally involved with – I’m already able to step away from day-to-day operations.

“We have a full order book and the decision to focus on the passive house standard and also on retro-fitting older properties has really helped us carve a niche and become experts in this area of construction. It means our clients are prepared to wait for us because they know we will deliver what they want.”

Mike’s interest in employee ownership began when one of his collaborators started to go through the process. He then realised that his existing team could ‘step up’ if  given the chance and he attended an event all about employee ownership trusts.

“I was quoted fees of between £25,000 and £32,000 to go through the process which felt too hefty a price tag for a smaller company like us. I asked around and was told to contact Go EO and the rest is history.”

Chris Maslin, who lives in Kent, set up Go EO to provide a cost effective solution for any company wanting to become employee owned after he went through the process himself when he stepped away from his successful accountancy practice.

“Having made that decision myself and gone through the process, I felt it could be simplified and streamlined to make it more affordable for those business owners with a simpler set up,” Chris said.

“With that in mind, Go EO was created and since then we’ve helped 35 companies to transition to this business model. Most wish to safeguard the team who have helped them build their business allowing them to step away with confidence.”

Mike Whitfield Construction Ltd is now run by the new senior management team of Fin Simpson, manager; Darly Duque, office and purchasing manager, and Gareth Donaldson, site foreman. The team will continue to lead the way in passive house and energy efficient construction in Herefordshire and bordering counties. For more information visit https://mwconstruct.co.uk/

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