jmarchitects Moves to Employee Ownership

The business is now owned by its 100 employees across studios in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Londonthrough an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

Managing Director Brian Thomson said:

“We are very pleased to announce the next phase in the 60-year evolution of our practice, established originally as a partnership, then becoming a limited company and now an EOT.

We see this model as an ideal opportunity to develop our leadership team and reward all our extraordinary staff while continuing to deliver excellence in architectural services for our clients and produce the very best spaces and places which inspire and delight.”

The move to employee ownership marks a natural progression for the practice, which has built a strong reputation over six decades for delivering high-quality design across a wide range of sectors. The company’s portfolio includes landmark projects such as Market Street Hotel and James Gillespie’s High School in Edinburgh.

Scottish marketing industry specialist Ian McAteer, who recently led the transfer of The Union, the advertising agency he founded, to employee ownership, has been appointed Chair of the jmarchitects Trust Board.

Ian said:

“After transferring The Union to employee ownership, I am understandably passionate about the EOT concept. jmarchitects is a fantastic firm with a great reputation, stretching back over 60 years. Therefore, the opportunity to be involved with another like-minded creative business is naturally very exciting for me.

I am looking forward to working with my fellow trustees to help drive the continued success of this significant UK firm of architects.”

Ranked 42nd in the Architects’ Journal index of the UK’s largest architectural practices, and twice named Urban Realm’s Top Architectural Practice in Scotland, jmarchitects continues to enjoy strong performance.

Brian Thomson added:

“We’re fortunate to be concluding another very successful year with a healthy pipeline of new projects secured for next year — across education, residential, commercial and hospitality sectors, from Moray to Manchester.

As ever, our clients demand creative, innovative and cost-effective solutions that deliver value for money and significantly enhance the sustainable credentials of their assets.”

Architecture is one of the most active sectors in adopting employee ownership, with around a quarter of the UK’s top 100 practices now owned by EOTs. The model is proving particularly effective for professional services businesses seeking to manage succession, retain talent, and safeguard independence.

Nicholas Howie, Partner in the corporate law team at Lindsays, said:

“There are very real advantages for a practice like this, where the talent and commitment of its people is key to its success and future. We know through other firms we have supported that an EOT attracts high-calibre people while retaining talent within the business. Employee ownership offers considerable opportunities for professional services firms to strengthen and sustain their business in a financially efficient and attractive way.”