From 19th September 2025, SMART’s founders, Steve Puckering and Ian Dixon, are proud to announce the 100% transfer of their shares to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).
At the heart of this decision was the desire to not only maintain SMART’s unique independence in the luxury yacht and residential markets, but to give every employee the opportunity to share in the continued and future success of the company.
Steve Puckering:
“From the very beginning the vision was to build a team, it’s never been about Ian or I. SMART was built slowly and carefully on solid foundations and now is the right time for the employees to take it to the next level”.
This change not only benefits the employees but makes SMART unique in its sector. Now, every single employee in the team has an even stronger focus on delivering the highest quality services and system designs to its clients.
Ian Dixon:
“When you build a team you always build for the future. For us, the EOT provided a structure that would guarantee both SMART’s independence and the continuance of the company’s mission, vision and values, which all stakeholders have contributed to since SMART’s creation in 2012”.
As part of this transition, senior team members Shane Owst, Tom Richardson and Jack Mudd, will play key roles in developing and growing the business. With nearly three decades of combined experience at SMART, they represent the next generation of leaders. They will be supporting Steve and Ian in a phased, collaborative approach to succession and to help guide the company though its next period of growth.
There are now c. 2,250 companies in the UK that have transitioned to an EOT, with benefits around succession planning, employee engagement and business performance.
The UK government established Employee Ownership Trusts in 2014 as a way for employees to indirectly own a company, with the trust holding shares in the company for their long-term benefit.
For more info about Employee Ownerniship in the UK click here.
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