Swindon’s very own National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) has taken a bold and people-first step into the future, confirming its transition to a majority employee-owned business from April 2025.
The NSBRC, operated by The Homebuilding Centre Limited, first opened its doors in 2007 and has long been a vital hub for self-builders, renovators and home improvers from across the UK. Though the company has been employee-owned since 2014 under a ‘hybrid’ model, it has now restructured so that over 51% of its shares are held in an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) — marking a major milestone in its journey.
An EOT allows employees to benefit from company ownership without needing to buy shares personally. As a result, all staff now have an even greater stake in the success of the business, with a stronger voice in how it is run.
Harvey Fremlin, Managing Director of The Homebuilding Centre, believes the new model enhances the business’ democratic foundations: “The team at the NSBRC have always had a genuine stake in the business via our ‘hybrid’ ownership model. Now, with the majority of shares held by our Employee Ownership Trust, alongside our Share Incentive Plan and a small number of direct share-holders (all employees of the business), we can build on our culture of openness and transparency, with colleagues feeling more empowered to share ideas and help develop the business.”
Staff members are now represented at board level too, with two elected employee reps attending meetings to ensure everyone’s views are brought to the table.
The move has been partly enabled by Capital for Colleagues (C4C), a specialist investment firm and the company’s only external shareholder. C4C reduced its holding slightly to help the team increase their ownership share, with a shared goal of reaching 87% employee ownership by 2026.
Alistair Currie, CEO of C4C, described the NSBRC as a “role model” for other employee-owned businesses: “From C4C’s perspective, the management and employees of NSBRC provide a role model amongst our investees for the positive impact which well-designed and executed Employee Ownership can have on the culture and performance of any business.”
The announcement follows a celebratory dinner held in 2024 to mark the company’s first decade of employee ownership. Hosted by BBC News presenter Martine Croxall, the event welcomed over 100 guests and featured a keynote speech from James de le Vingne, CEO of the Employee Ownership Association.
Interest in employee ownership has surged in recent years. The EOA notes that a UK business transitions to employee ownership nearly every day — a trend supported by built-in tax benefits and rising productivity levels.
As it looks to the future, the NSBRC team is preparing for its flagship event, The Festival of Sustainable Homes, on 16 & 17 May 2025. Free advance tickets are available now at nsbrc.co.uk.
With employee ownership now firmly rooted at its core, The Homebuilding Centre continues to demonstrate that sustainable business isn’t just about buildings — it’s also about people.
