Dot Surveying has become the latest Scottish business to move to employee ownership.
Believed to be the first in its field to do so, the Edinburgh-headquartered company has transferred a majority shareholding to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
Dot Surveying is a multi-disciplinary property surveying company specialising in the telecoms sector, as well as working across land acquisition and development, renewables, dispute resolution and planning.
The 21 employees comprise chartered surveyors, property managers, town and country planners and support staff. There are also a number of freelance consultants who support the company’s operations.
The consultancy was founded in 2020 by Tom Gallivan, who was the sole shareholder until the EOT was implemented. He has sold a majority of his stake to the trust, retaining a minority shareholding to demonstrate a continuing commitment to the business.
“The business has performed so extremely well over the years, surpassing my expectations on what could be achieved in a relatively short time,“ explained Gallivan. “I believe that employee ownership will reinforce our partnership approach to doing business and allow us to continue to provide the expert service our customers are used to.”
Commercial director Catherine McKerrigan also supported the move. “This is a generous and visionary gesture by Tom, he’s showing tremendous confidence in us, that the company will be safe in our hands.”
Henderson Loggie provided corporate finance and taxation advice to the company, while Anderson Strathern provided legal advice.
Ewan Regan, director at Anderson Strathern, commented: “We are seeing a continuing interest in EOTs as a succession option for successful businesses.”
Specialist lender Thincats has supported a number of EOT transactions and worked with Dot Surveying on its funding requirements.
It is believed there are now more than 1,000 employee-owned companies in the UK, with around 170 head quartered in Scotland.
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