Plan A becomes an Employee Ownership Trust
We’ve always believed our success is down to our people. That’s why we’re delighted to announce that Plan A is now a 100% employee-owned business. Our team has always had a say in how the company is run, but as we enter our tenth year, we’ve made it official. This means that every team member has an even greater influence on Plan A’s future success.
Since our inception in 2015, we’ve consistently made decisions that align with our values and are in the best interests of our people and our clients. That hasn’t changed. Neither has our purpose – dedicated design management for the world’s greatest architects and designers. For a business that puts its people and clients first, moving to an Employee Owned Trust (EOT) is the natural next step for Plan A, ensuring we preserve our independence, maintain the highest quality service, and protect our collaborative culture.
Becoming an employee owned trust does not change how we work. If anything, it bolsters our independent spirit, commitment to our people, and drive for quality in everything we do. In many ways, the transition formalises legally how the founders intended to run the company from the start.
At the end of September, founders Nick Willars and Gerard Daws departed, placing the company’s future into the hands of Plan A’s people. 100% of the business shares are now held in the EOT – Plan A Trustees Limited – on behalf of all current and future employees.
While the ownership structure may have shifted, our clients won’t notice any changes on a day-to-day basis. Our four directors – Lucy Freeston, David Palmeri, Ben Brouard and Ned Barran – will continue to lead the business, guiding the future of the consultancy alongside the Trust Board and Employee Council.
Independent advisor Michael Holmes, previously the financial director at Grimshaw, chairs the Trust Board. He is joined by Plan A directors David Palmeri and Lucy Freeston, an employee representative (elected by our team) and departing director Gerard Daws.
Plan A has always aspired to work for the benefit of all our staff. This move builds on that aspiration by empowering our people through a greater sense of engagement and responsibility. Each of us – all 55 – is now an ambassador and entrepreneurial force that can directly influence how the company runs and benefits from its success. That’s a strong motivating force and an advantage for our clients.
We already have many of the elements either encouraged or required under employee ownership in place at Plan A, not least our Employee Council, which has been up and running since 2019. The council is a voice for our employees’ collective interests, promoting open, meaningful communication and positive engagement across the team.
These are exciting times for Plan A, and we move forward as we always have – a collective in control of our shared future and success.
