Property surveying firm becomes employee-owned

Dot Surveying has become the latest business to move to employee ownership.

The company works across the UK, including remote islands, from offices in Edinburgh and Birmingham.

Dot Surveying is a multi-disciplinary property surveying company specialising in the telecoms sector, and also working across land acquisition and development, renewables, dispute resolution and town and country planning.

The 21 employees comprise chartered surveyors, property managers, town and country planners and support staff. There are also a number of freelance consultants who support the company’s operations.

The consultancy was founded in 2020 by Tom Gallivan who was the sole shareholder until the EOT was implemented. Gallivan has sold a majority of his stake to the EOT, retaining a minority shareholding.

He said: “The business has performed so extremely well over the years, surpassing my expectations on what could be achieved in a relatively short time. This success can be attributed to the fantastic employees we have in place and it felt right that they should own the future of the company. I also have to thank our loyal clients who have supported us over the years. I believe that employee ownership will reinforce our partnership approach to doing business and allow us to continue to provide the expert service our customers are used to.”

Henderson Loggie provided corporate finance and taxation advice to the company.

Rod Mathers, partner of Henderson Loggie, said: “The EOT was a very good fit for Dot Surveying as a business and for Tom Gallivan as the business owner. We were delighted to have led them through the EOT transaction.”

Anderson Strathern provided legal advice.

Ewan Regan, director, said: “We are seeing a continuing interest in EOTs as a succession option for successful businesses. Working with Dot Surveying has been a particularly rewarding transaction as this is a relatively young business moving to employee ownership to reinforce all that was already good in the company.”

Specialist lender Thincats has supported a number of EOT transactions and worked with Dot Surveying its funding requirements. business owners who recognise that success is most often a team effort, and have the courage of their convictions and hand over the reins to the employees.”