Birketts advises Bugler Group on transition to Employee Ownership Trust

10 November 2026 - UK Top 50 law firm, Birketts, has advised family-owned Bugler Group Limited on its transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

Bugler Group is a construction and property development business based in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1982 by Tom Bugler, the Group has more than four decades of experience delivering residential and mixed-use developments across London and the South East, including homes for housing associations, local authorities and private sale. Andy, Denis and Kieran Bugler, will continue in their current roles within the Group.

Birketts provided legal advice to Bugler Group throughout the transition, supporting the business in moving to an employee-owned structure.

The Birketts team was co-led by Ed Savory and Laura Gray, supported by Freya Palmer on the EOT aspects of the transaction, Katy Jarratt-Poole and Nichola Rolt on supporting corporate advice and Rebecca Hughes in relation to employment advice.

Andy Bugler, Bugler Group Limited, said: "Transitioning to employee ownership represents an exciting new chapter for Bugler Group and provides a strong platform for the long-term future of the business.

"We are very grateful to Ed, Laura and the wider Birketts team for their guidance throughout the process. Their pragmatic and commercial advice helped us navigate the transition smoothly and gave us confidence at every stage."

Laura Gray Senior Associate at Birketts, added: "It has been a pleasure to support Bugler Group on its transition to employee ownership. An EOT provides an opportunity to recognise the contribution employees have made to the success of a business while helping to protect its culture, values and long-term independence.

"We wish everyone at Bugler Group every success as the business begins this next chapter and look forward to seeing it continue to develop under employee ownership."

About Birketts

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: real estate, corporate services, dispute resolution, and private client advisory.

We are defined by our next level law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges, or opportunities that they may face.

Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.

With our ambition to succeed comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our Responsible Business strategy. Birketts is a certified B Corporation™, and diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership as of 1 April 2026.

www.birketts.co.uk