Planit-IE transitions to employee-owned model 

The Altrincham-based urban design and landscape architecture practice has transferred two-thirds of its shares to an employee ownership trust. 

The remaining third of Planit-IE’s shares will be retained by existing shareholders – including co-founders Pete Swift and Ed Lister – as well as Georgina Baines and Kevin Redhead, two long-serving company employees who were made directors earlier this year. 

The other existing shareholders are Lindsay Humblet, Richard Line, Andy Roberts and James King.

“This shift will herald the start of a new, vibrant and dynamic chapter in Planit-IE’s future,” said managing director Swift. 

“There is compelling research to show that a combination of shared ownership and employee participation results in a business that is more engaged, innovative, productive and sustainable – building on all of Planit-IE’s existing hallmarks.” 

Helen Wright, head of development at Sanctuary Housing, and long-term friend of the practice, has agreed to become the independent chair of Planit’s employee ownership trust. 

The firm’s move to an employee-owned model sees it follow in the footsteps of several other North West practices. 

In the past 18 months, Day Architectural, industrial agency B8 Real Estate, Crookes Walker Consultancy, Liverpool-based consultancy Curtins, multidisciplinary consultancy Hollis, Chadderton-based builder J Greenwood, Ancoats-based Triangle Architects, and Bolton-based Hardscape have all made the switch to become employee-owned trusts. 

Managing director Lister said: “Having spent 25 years building the practice from scratch, and witnessed other similarly strong businesses sell out and then slowly lose their identity, culture and purpose in the process, we knew that this wasn’t an option for us, and the move to employee ownership means that it should never be.” 

“While our employees will now be closer to Planit-IE than ever before, our focus and direction will remain as we look to achieve our ambitions.” 

Planit, founded 25 years ago, provides landscape architecture, urban design and visualisation services.  

The company is working on several high-profile projects in the North West, including Peel L&P’s £5bn Liverpool Waters and Oldham Council’s 130-acre eco-park Northern Roots.