Member News | Purcell Architects Become Employee Owned

In May 2021, Purcell became an employee-owned business run through an employee-ownership trust. With studios across the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Australia, the decision to become employee-owned recognises the practice’s evolution and is a commitment to the next phase in our business’s development and to our multidisciplinary team who have been instrumental to our growth and success.

The new employee ownership model will build upon the successes of our past, strengthening the practice and ensuring all our people can contribute to its future. This will invigorate our continued performance and collaborative ways of working, providing a clear, shared purpose while preserving Purcell’s culture built from our 70 years of operation.

Mark Goldspink, CEO said:

“It’s an exciting time for Purcell as we move to an employee-owned structure. This move outlines the plans we have for the progression of the business and our ability to continue delivering excellent design and consultancy for our clients both now and in the future.”

Founded by Donovan Purcell in 1970, Purcell developed a reputation for expertise in architectural heritage across sectors ranging from public to residential, educational to cultural. Today, we remain committed to enabling our clients to devise long-term solutions for the sustainable future of their buildings, and for the communities and people that they serve. The transition to an employee-owned company is a collaborative and long-term decision to ensure Purcell’s sustainable growth. It will enable us to retain our character and company values, while ensuring our employees feel valued.

On May 2021, we will move the ownership of the business to Purcell’s Trust, who will hold ownership for and on behalf of all current and future employees in the business. Newly appointed Chair, Liz Smith and Purcell’s Board, will work with the Chair of Purcell EO Trustees, Alex Holton, with Emma Bryant, Ewa Lenart, Lucy Burke-Smith, Alasdair Jones and Tom Brigden as Trustees, and Sue Lawrence as Non-Executive Trustee.
Alex Holton, Associate and Chair of the Purcell Employee-Ownership Trust said:

“Becoming an employee-owned business will supercharge the collaborative and positive culture we already have at Purcell. This next step in our evolution is a celebratory reminder of the excellence of our technical, support and operation teams, and how we are a resilient organisation that puts our clients and people first.”