Electrical contracting firm, Brook & Mayo, has recently celebrated 50 years in business.
An employee-owned company, Brook & Mayo was started in Lincoln by ex-RAF servicemen, Terry Mayo and Dave Brook, back in 1969. Today, the company has offices in Lincoln, Peterborough and Nottingham, and it directly employs 54 people who all own a stake in the business. The company is reportedly the only electrical contractor in the region to have an employee-owned structure.
Starting out, Brook & Mayo carried out household repairs, fixing washing machines and other appliances. As its reputation grew and the company expanded, it carried out larger electrical installation work for homes and small businesses. Now, it is one of the region’s leading electrical contractors.
To mark its 50th year, the company is aiming to raise £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support with a series of fundraising events. The company also held a glittering party at the Lincolnshire Showground with 230 guests, including past and present employees, their partners and clients in attendance. Cutting the cake at the celebration event was co-founder Terry Mayo and his son Nick, who led the company from 2002 to 2018.
Darren Sewell, Managing Director of Brook & Mayo, comments, “Reaching 50 years in business is a big achievement, but looking back over the company’s history makes you realise just how far we’ve come. Brook & Mayo has become one of the East Midlands’ leading electrical contractors, and we pride ourselves on the quality of our work.
“We’re proud of our past, and we’re also looking forward to our future. Over 50 years, we’ve worked with hundreds of clients on large and small contracts and have built a strong reputation. This 50th year is an exciting time for us, as we’re expanding into new areas and we’re growing from strength to strength.”
In 2016, the company began a new era when it became the only employee-owned electrical contractor in the East Midlands. Speaking about this, Darren Misiak, the company’s Business Development Manager, explains, “The employee ownership model is a major part of who we are as a business, and it has so many advantages. Employees are more engaged in the company and it’s created a really great sense of teamwork and dedication. Everyone understands their role in the company and how their work helps the team. It’s also improved retention: nobody has left the company to a competitor since we introduced the scheme.
He continues, “We’re the only electrical contractor in the region to be employee-owned, and we believe our team works more efficiently and more creatively as a result. Because we have pride in our work and treat the company as our own, the team is often suggesting new ways of working. We’re all part of this journey and we all share in its success, so celebrating 50 years is a very big moment for all of us.”
Brook & Mayo chose to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support in its anniversary year after an internal vote. So far, the company has hosted a charity quiz night and a charity game of football, with further events planned. Later this month, six team members are to hike 26 miles across the Peak District for the charity.
Brook & Mayo’s 50th anniversary comes after it won Electrical Contractor of the Year at the National Electrical Industry Awards. Explaining their decision, the judges praised the company’s commitment to its employees with the employee ownership model.