Structural engineer Jane Wernick has turned her eponymous company into a John Lewis-style trust run for the benefit of the employees

Wernick is the sole shareholder of the seven-strong firm, which made its name working on cultural and arts projects. She set up after leaving Arup 11 years ago and will remain as the sole salaried director for the time being.

As a condition of effectively giving away her company she has stipulated that it will not be able to do nuclear or defence work.

She is also to become one of the three trustees - along with Arup director Jenny Baster and Robin Nicholson, a partner in Edward Cullinan.

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