Employees take ownership of Conlon

Founded by five brothers in 1961, the Preston-based construction company has now made the switch to an employee-ownership trust model.

There will be no day-to-day changes as a result of the move to employee ownership at Conlon Holdings, which includes Conlon Construction. The current leadership is staying in place, including chairman Michael Conlon, managing director Guy Parker, finance director Nadine Ng, commercial director Darren Lee, projects director Andrew Makinson, quantity surveying director Lee Parry, and HR and business development director Maureen Boland.

“What we’re doing is completely aligned with our company ethos,” Michael Conlon explained.

“From the outset, our founders, those five young Conlon brothers, put people at the heart of the company. By implementing this transition now, the family believes it is the best outcome for the business and, most importantly, for all of our colleagues.”

Conlon continued: “The current board of directors will remain and will still have responsibility for running the business. The directors will now be accountable to a trustee board, which will include two elected employee trustees.

“We would like to sincerely thank all our colleagues, clients, and supply chain members for their contribution towards making Conlon the success story it has become. We look forward to their continued efforts, trust, and support.”

The Conlon brothers founded the company in 1961 while working on the ‘Preston Bypass’ – now part of the M6. Credit: via TWA Marketing

Kevin Steven of Pierce Corporate Finance and Stephen Hadlow of Brabners Law advised on Conlon’s EOT transition.

Conlon has 72 full-time staff members. Last month, the firm won the ESG Award at the North West Regional Construction Awards for its work on the Harris Museum in Preston, as well as the SME of the Year award.

Recent projects include phase two of Lancaster University’s £16m management complex refurbishment, Star Academies’ Olive School in Cheetham Hill, and GVS Filter Technology’s £14m manufacturing facility in Quernmore.