• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Friday April 11 2025
• Author Name: Louisa Davison

Employees declared ‘role models’ as they take majority ownership of National Self Build and Renovation Centre

After an 11 year journey, employees at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre in Swindon have achieved majority employee ownership.

Employees of the UK’s only permanent self build visitor centre have taken more than 50 per cent control of the Swindon company, and were declared ‘role models…of employee ownership’ and a ‘landmark business’.

The National Self Build and Renovation Centre (NSBRC) is home to over 200 permanent exhibitors of sustainable self build home building and renovation, with resident experts, tours, courses and events. On site are several full-scale houses, an interactive education zone, a cafe and conference and meeting rooms.

NSBRC majority employee ownership

Fifty-one per cent of the company is now owned by The Homebuilding Centre, the NSBRC’s Employed Owned Trust (EOT), after a planned sale of shares by the Centre’s financial backers. The Centre’s aim is to hold 87 per cent of the shares next year, 2026.

As well as the obvious benefits of having a real stake in the business with transparency and empowerment, employee ownership of more than 50 per cent means up to £3,600 of income tax-free bonuses for each of the NSBRC’s employees.

Tax breaks were created to encourage new EOTs when they were brought into existence by the last government in 2014; as well as the employee bonus, the seller is spared capital gains tax on the sale of more than 50 per cent of their shares to an EOT.

Role models and a landmark business

The NSBRC opened in 2007 and its employee-ownership journey began in 2014. Capital for Collegues (C4C), the NSBRC’s specialist investors, are the sole backers of the Centre and will retain 13 per cent shares after 2026.

C4C’s CEO, Alistair Currie said, “…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.” Praising the Centre further, he described it as a “landmark business”.

The Homebuilding Centre’s managing director, Harvey Fremlin, says: “The team at the NSBRC have always had a genuine stake in the business via our ‘hybrid’ ownership model. Now…we can build on our culture of openness and transparency, with colleagues feeling more empowered to share ideas and help develop the business.”

Earlier this year the NSBRC was awarded the Good Business Charter accreditation.

Next event: Festival of Sustainable Homes

For the latest advice on improving both the energy efficiency and comfort levels of properties, for both new builds and existing homes, the family-friendly Festival of Sustainable Homes takes place on the weekend 16 & 17 May 2025.

Book free tickets and VIP upgrades on the NSBRC website.

Pictured above: Kelly Boyce, Front of House Team Leader