14% of Employee Owned Businesses Are Now in Construction as Sector Sees Surge in Employee Ownership Trusts

The construction sector is driving one of the most significant shifts in business succession seen in recent years. 14% of all employee-owned businesses in the UK are in construction, following an 6,000% increase in companies moving to an Employee Ownership Trust since 2014.

“Across the UK we are seeing a clear move towards Employee Ownership Trusts,” said Pete Wilmer, Senior Partner at Hawsons, who has advised on complex transitions for nearly a decade. “There are now around 2,470 employee-owned businesses, with 560 new transitions recorded in 2024 alone. In construction, the model is proving particularly valuable because it allows founders to protect the future of their business, maintain continuity for clients and support the teams who have helped to build that success.”

Hawsons has been at the centre of this movement, drawing on extensive technical expertise and first-hand experience of how Employee Ownership Trusts work in practice. These transitions are not simply financial transactions. They are often deeply considered decisions where business owners weigh legacy, culture and long‑term security for their staff. With careful planning, they offer a route that balances value for owners with a structure that maintains the businesses identity.

Recent work with Lindway Scaffolding Ltd shows how the Employee Ownership Trust model can safeguard a company’s future in the construction sector. By guiding the business through tax structuring, valuation and regulatory compliance, Hawsons helped ensure that the transition met both operational and cultural goals.

Pete Wilmer added:
“Moving to an Employee Ownership Trust is a big step. It needs careful handling to get the right structure and to respect what the owner has built over many years. In construction, we see firms that have invested decades in relationships, reputation and expertise. Getting this right is about more than ownership – it is about ensuring that the business thrives for the next generation.”

The rise in construction‑sector Employee Ownership Trusts highlights a growing appetite for succession plans that go beyond a straightforward sale. With the right professional advice, owners can achieve clarity, stability and a lasting legacy.

Source: Employee Ownership Association (EOA) and White Rose Centre for Employee Ownership (WRCEO), UK EO Business Register, May 2025.