After over one hundred and fifteen years as a family-owned business, specialist building and fit-out contractor, G F Holding (Contractors) Ltd has transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust.
Managing Director, Jeff Barton commented: “The Trust secures the future of the business and rewards our employees for their hard work and dedication over the years. It also enables Simon Holding, the fourth generation of the family business to plan his exit. The Trust provides certainty for the business, our employees and clients.”
To deliver continued growth and safeguard the ethos and core values that underpin the business, the Board of Directors has been extended to include three new company Directors: John Dodds, Construction Director; Neil Poole who becomes Pre-Construction Director; and Martin Leyden who becomes Commercial Director. At the same time, to reinforce the senior management team, Lee Chadwick has been promoted to Associate Director.
Jeff continued: “The business had an excellent 2023 with projects including the new exclusive members’ only club, The Residence at the O2 which includes various high-end bar and fine-dining offerings for 300 people, and a first of its kind retractable viewing platform; Everyman Cinema’s ‘jewel in the crown’ site at Salisbury; and the re-development of Kent Coast Holiday Park for Bourne Leisure, to make it one of Haven Holidays’ ‘Parks of the Future’.
“Highlights of 2023 also include that one of our high-profile projects, The Kit Kat Club which is showing an immersive production of Cabaret, received a number of awards including the Civic Trust Pro Tem Award 2023 and the RIBA London and National Awards. Curzon Camden under the arches of Railway Viaduct 4 also received the RIBA London Award.”
The business has started 2024 with a very strong order book, including the refurbishment and fit-out of a number of Hollywood Bowls and Pure Gyms; the development of Everyman Cambridge; and the refurbishment of Napoleon Casino, Leeds. In addition, the business continues to grow its theatre client-base with a project confirmed at London’s Southbank Centre and anticipated projects at various other theatres, including the Edinburgh Playhouse.