A market-leading business founded in 1995 by Karl Chopra, Design911, has made a surprise announcement: a majority stake in the company has been transferred to staff to recognise and respect the dedication of a long-standing workforce and create a legacy for the future.
Design911, which has expanded rapidly in recent years as an expert provider of Porsche components, OEM parts, specialist sourcing assistance, servicing, and restoration work, confirmed that the employee-focused move will ensure staff maintain control of the company and are rewarded with ‘substantial’ bonuses.
The Introduction of an Employee Ownership Model in the Porsche Automotive Market
With 75% of shares being transferred into a trust structure, formed similarly to the John Lewis Partnership model, the news comes following sustained and, at times, aggressive pressure from external investors keen to tap into the reputation and sustainability of the business.
Varied proposals included dramatic changes, such as centralising some of the businesses’ functions or strategic reforms, which carried risks that could potentially have impacted the firm’s ethos and mission or led to job losses for valued employees.
The bold move hasn’t been made in isolation.
Several well-known and respected companies have looked at employee ownership and trust-based shareholdings as a way to safeguard staff positions and roles, enhance employee welfare, and focus on ongoing growth rather than making commercial decisions based on the expectations and priorities of external shareholders and prospective new investors.
Trends in the Introduction of Employee Ownership Schemes
According to data published by the European Federation of Employee Shareholders, almost 1,800 British businesses had taken a similar approach as of July 2024, benefiting 124,000 staff members.
The John Lewis Partnership, which is the largest such trust-based scheme in the UK, divides ownership between 83,900 employee-partners who hold stakes in the business and within Waitrose supermarkets that form part of the group.
This model was groundbreaking when it was introduced in 1929 and has contributed to the way modern generations of business owners take action to protect their legacies and the intentions of the businesses they founded while ensuring long-serving staff will be both protected and rewarded for their contributions.
Reforms to the Management and Ownership Structure of Design911
Although Chopra has no immediate plans to step back and has emphasised his passion for the business, he confirmed that the executive team will continue to oversee operations as they do currently, with Anthony Malone, Nikhil Chopra, and Martin Maziarz expected to succeed him in the future.
The announcements also included the appointment of trustees Henriette Chopra, Chris Starling, Accounts Manager, and Kingsley Tedder, Independent Adviser, alongside a Colleague Advisory Council to represent employee interests in future decision-making.
Chopra said that the primary aim of the announcement was to recognise the workforce that has made the business's success possible, noting that 'I feel incredibly loyal to my colleagues, and that they should receive the benefits of running the company rather than selling to the highest bidder when my time is up.
Our teams know the business and its unique culture better than anyone, and I know that the company will flourish under their guidance and control’.
Maziarz, a Design911 employee for 18 years and one of the three Chief Executives, also commented that the changes were transformative, saying, 'This will ensure colleagues feel even more connected to the business, with a real stake in its success and the pride of knowing they are shareholders.’
The transition to an employee ownership model is the latest in a series of milestones and benchmark achievements for the business, and it is being hailed as a real-world illustration of how companies can work to demonstrate authentic loyalty, mutual success, and sustainability.
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About Design911
Design911 has established itself as the market leader, offering trade and retail customers a full range of OEM and aftermarket Porsche parts for general servicing and rebuild as well as restoration and tuning for the UK, European and world-wide markets. The Design911.co.uk website now sports a Porsche parts finder to help you get the exact aftermarket Porsche part your need. The company's impressive 34,000 sq. ft Essex headquarters comprise sales department, warehouse, workshop and body shop, as well as a showroom of classic Porsches for sale. We pride ourselves that we will be the company that can supply 'every part for every Porsche'.
Media Contact:
Anthony Malonne
+44 (0)208 500 8811
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Source Company: https://www.design911.co.uk
