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An historic Liverpool-based built environment consultancy has become an employee-owned trust (EOT)- giving its staff an increased ability to influence decision making.

Curtins' new structure will mean each employee has a share in the firm's financial performance, with an employee forum set up comprising 28 representatives from across all of Curtins’ offices.

Curtins was established in Liverpool in 1960 in the back bedroom of founder and lecturer at the Liverpool College of Building, Bill Curtin.

Announcing the news on Wednesday, chief executive Rob Melling said: “What we’re doing is so aligned with Bill's philosophy and principal of making sure our people are at the heart of our company.

“By implementing the transition now, at a time of bright prospects for Curtins, we believe that the stars have aligned to achieve key benefits for our people.”

Its former share ownership scheme, where staff owned approximately 25% of the business, was first introduced in 2002, shortly after Mr Melling joined the board of directors.

That scheme allowed people from outside the board to also own shares in the business based on certain eligibility criteria, or to be gifted them as a reward for long service.

Curtins, which employs over 350 staff across its 14 º£½ÇÊÓƵ offices, said that resulted in it being listed in the Top 50 Employee-Owned Companies for a number of years.