The British yacht, aviation and architecture design firm Winch Design have just announced that it is now entirely owned by its employees. Having grown into an international business on the foundations established 35 years ago by Andrew and Jane Winch, the announcement comes as a positive progression to their modern outlook to business management.
The company has established the Winch Employee Ownership Trust (WEOT) which is now the sole shareholder of the company, ensuring that it remains privately held under stewardship of the Winch team. As Co-Directors of the Operating Board, Aino Grapin CEO, Jim Dixon and Simon Tomlinson, Directors, will continue to have responsibility for the leadership of Winch Design, together with the Senior Leadership team.
Aino Grapin commented, “Winch Design has always been a pioneering studio which I have been honoured to drive forward for the past 5 years, supported by a fantastic team. Andrew has long been a visionary in the industry and this has inspired us to develop a truly innovative studio, both in terms of the projects we design and the management style we adopt. Employee ownership will enable us to stay true to our colours, serve our clients even better and further empower our next generation of talent.”
Photo: Winch DesignAndrew Winch will pass creative leadership to Simon and Jim, and will focus on his role “as a creative sounding board”, as well as sit on the Board of Trustees for at least five years. 
Photo: Winch DesignAndrew commented, “I am immensely proud of the team. Today’s announcement is another exciting milestone in our history and such a natural progression of all the great work that has been done to get us to this point. I believe every single person at Winch Design is exceptional and it is their collaborative spirit that is the true strength of the Winch studio. I thank them and also extend huge thanks to our many clients and friends in the industry who have helped us to reach this exciting moment. The Winch DNA is unique and will only get stronger as the adventure continues. 2021 is a special year for Winch, as we celebrate our 35 years in business, but I am so excited to look forward as the next chapter in our history unfolds.”