Building contractor J Greenwood marks 50th anniversary by becoming employee-owned

Left to right: Managing Director Adrian Rooney, Chairman John Greenwood and Health, Safety & Environmental Director Darren Garner.

Chadderton-based building contractor J Greenwood (Builders) is marking its 50th anniversary by becoming employee-owned, providing a strong base for the ongoing growth of the business in  a challenging period for the construction industry.  

Established in 1971, the family-owned firm switched to Employee-Ownership Trust (EOT) status to ensure that its 50-strong workforce shared in the success of the business and benefited from future profits.

The transition to being an EOT would also preserve the family ethos of J Greenwood (Builders) developed over half a century.

Based on Greengate Industrial Estate, Chadderton, the contractor specialises in affordable housing, education, extra care, leisure, health, commercial and public building contracts for clients in the public and private sectors.

Recently completed projects include a new £1m club house for Salford City Roosters Rugby Club and a £1.5m refurbishment project for the LTE Group at Harpurhey Manchester College to provide facilities for new commercial training kitchens for their Hospitality and Catering Department.

The firm has also expanded into the provision of social housing, working with housing associations including Jigsaw Homes, Mosscare St Vincent and Great Places Housing Group and recently securing places on ICN and JV North, two major North West frameworks to support the delivery of new homes and social infrastructure.

This ongoing expansion has seen 14 new employees recruited in the past 18 months, representing an increase of 30 per cent in the workforce.

Advised by RSM, chairman John Greenwood transferred his shares in the business to an EOT for the benefit of existing and future staff.

John Greenwood, managing director Adrian Rooney and health, safety and environmental director Darren Garner make up the operations board to oversee the daily running of J Greenwood (Builders).

John Greenwood said: “The foundation of the Employee Ownership Trust is a fantastic outcome for the company, our people and our clients, and I’m certain that it’s in the best hands possible.

“I’m proud of the business we’ve built over the past five decades and I wanted to put in place a structure so that the company could continue to operate in its current form, with its current people and its current location.

“This may not have been the outcome if the company had been sold to an outside buyer or investment had come from elsewhere. I remain fully committed to J Greenwood (Builders) and look forward to working with our managing director Adrian Rooney and the rest of our talented team to help the company to thrive in the years ahead.”

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