Sustainable building consultancy transitions to employee ownership

A pioneering building and engineering consultancy specialising in sustainable design has transitioned to employee ownership, empowering staff to shape its future while preserving its core ethos.

Greengauge, with offices in Huddersfield and Bradford upon Avon, is now owned by an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), offering employees a direct stake in the business.

Founders Hannah Jones and Toby Cambray, who established the business in 2010 aboard a houseboat on the River Avon in Wiltshire, initiated the transition to ensure the firm’s unique culture and mission endure.

Since its humble beginnings, Greengauge has grown into a leader in sustainable design, now employing 16 staff and working on award-winning Passivhaus projects such as the Stirling Prize-winning Goldsmith Street project in Norwich. The firm is currently working on Passivhaus projects for Oxford University and York and Fife Councils, amongst others.

The transition to an EOT places Greengauge among a growing number of UK businesses embracing employee ownership, fostering greater involvement and financial benefits for staff while helping drive future growth.

Hannah Jones, managing director of Greengauge, said: “This is an exciting next step in Greengauge’s journey, ensuring that staff will be integral to the company’s decision-making and benefit from any profits.

“Starting 14 years ago from a houseboat, we have grown exponentially, with our portfolio of services now ranging from MEP design, Passivhaus and AECB design through to certification along with more specialist hygrothermal risk analysis and complex 3D thermal bridge modelling.”

Greengauge was supported i by Jeremy Kirk of SouthWestFD, who provided financial advice, along with legal support from Stephens Scown, led by Gavin Poole, and tax advice from Cornwall-based firm Forth Accountancy, led by Claire Forth.

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