B8 Real Estate, the North West’s leading dedicated industrial property agency, has become an employee-owned business.
Directors and shareholders Steve Johnson, Simon Wood and Jon Thorne, who co-founded the company in 2011, have transferred their shares into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), which now owns the business for the benefit of its 11-strong team.
All three founding directors will continue to play a long-term role in the business to continue its growth under employee ownership. Based at Daresbury Park, Warrington, B8 Real Estate is regularly ranked as the leading industrial agency in the North West, with the occupational agency and investment teams having been involved in over 8m sq ft of transactions in the last 12 months.
Speaking on behalf of all three directors, Jon Thorne said:
“Having worked hard to establish our brand and track record over the past decade, we wanted to build on our position as a leading independent force in the market. At a time of change and market consolidation, employee ownership offers a way for our business to safeguard its independence and create a growth platform for our team.
“It also recognises the importance of our people. B8RE’s strength lies in our expertise and personal service which in turn relies on the knowledge and commitment of our team. The new structure puts our people at the heart of the business and provides a framework for longer-term growth.”