Birketts advises Collins Construction on transition to employee ownership

5 November 2026 - UK Top 50 law firm Birketts has advised Collins Construction on its transition to employee ownership as the leading refurbishment and fit out company celebrates 70 years in business.

The seven shareholders of Collins Construction have completed the sale of the business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), securing the company's long-term independence and creating an ownership structure designed to protect the business for future generations.

Founded in 1956, Collins Construction has developed over seven decades into an established construction business delivering fit out and refurbishment projects across London and the South East. Having considered a number of options for the future ownership and succession of the business, the shareholders chose employee ownership as the structure best placed to protect the culture, values and independence that have defined Collins Construction throughout its history, while providing a strong platform for its next stage of development.

There will be no change to the day-to-day management or operation of the business, which will continue to be led by its existing management team and pursue its established strategy.

Birketts advised Collins Construction throughout its transition to employee ownership, with the corporate team co-led by Partner Ed Savory and Senior Associate Laura Gray, supported by Freya Palmer, Caroline Geater and Kirsty Scripps (employee incentives), Katy Jarratt-Poole (corporate), and Rebecca Hughes (employment).

Jason Warren, Managing Director of Collins Construction, said: "Moving to employee ownership is an important milestone for Collins Construction and one that feels particularly fitting as we celebrate our 70th year. We wanted to find an ownership model that would protect our independence and the culture we have built, while creating a strong foundation for the future.

"Birketts supported us throughout the process with clear, practical and commercially focused advice. The team understood what we wanted to achieve from the outset and guided us through each stage of the transition. We are very grateful for their expertise, responsiveness and commitment in helping us take this important step."

Laura Gray, Senior Associate at Birketts, added: "We are delighted to have supported Collins Construction on its transition to employee ownership at such an important point in the company's history.

"Over the past 70 years, Collins has established an excellent reputation built on its people, the quality of its work and the strength of its relationships. Moving to employee ownership provides a structure that preserves the company's independence and values while giving its employees a meaningful stake in its long-term future. We wish Jason, the management team and everyone at Collins every success for this exciting next chapter."

ENDS

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(tm), and diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership as of 1 April 2026.

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