London fit out specialist Collins becomes EOT

Fit-out specialist Collins Construction has become an Employee Ownership Trust, the firm has announced.

The seven shareholders of the 70-year-old business completed its sale to an EOT after considering several options for its future ownership and succession.

Croydon-based Collins was founded in 1956 and carries out refurbishment and fit-out projects in the commercial office and leisure sectors across London and the South-east.

In its last set of accounts for the year to 30 June 2025, it posted income of £108m, which was down 13% on the previous year. But pre-tax profit was up to £2.1m from £363,000 the year before.

“Celebrating 70 years in business is a remarkable milestone and it feels like the right moment to think about what we want Collins to look like for the next 70 years,” said managing director Jason Warren, who has been in charge seven years.

“We have always been fiercely proud of our independence and of the culture we have created. When considering the future ownership of Collins, we had a number of options available to us and we chose employee ownership because we believe it gives us the best opportunity to protect what has made Collins successful while creating a structure capable of taking the business forward for the next generation.”

The business, which has around 140 staff, said there would be no change in day-to-day management, although non-executive Chris Bartram, who has been at the firm over three decades, has stepped down from its board.

“It remains very much business as usual,” Warren added. “The board will continue to lead the business working with its senior team to maintain the same commitment to our projects and relationships.”