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Lanarkshire bakery taken over by employees

William Sword The floor of a bakery production centre, with dozens of employees standing for a group photograph alongside plenty of pastryWilliam Sword
The company has been owned by the Sword family since being founded in 1894

A North Lanarkshire bakery run by its founding family for four generations has become employee-owned.

William Sword, a pastry-maker in Cumbernauld, is moving to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) that will give the company's 85-strong staff direct control over the future of the business.

The company has been owned by the Sword family since being founded in Airdrie in 1894. It now has a bakery and production centre on the Blairlinn Industrial Estate.

Brothers Douglas and David Sword, who have each been involved in managing the company for more than 40 years, will step back to consultancy roles as part of the change.

William Sword is also the business behind chilled soup brand the Scottish Soup Company, while selling chilled and frozen pies and pastry products.

Douglas Sword said he felt it was the right time for the family to step back.

He added: The idea of a trade sale - which might ultimately have led to distant owners and jobs being put at risk - didn't interest us.

"We wanted to give something back to the people who have worked so hard for us. Transitioning to an EOT allows us to do exactly that - our customers also benefit from the continuity of supply."

"It has benefits to us, but also to the staff, who are now in control of their own destiny. The business is in their hands now. We are sure they will continue to grow and be successful."

William Sword A woman in a bakery production centre, leaning over to adjust pastry William Sword
Workers like Linda McCullough will have a direct say in the running of the company

Douglas and David will be succeeded as managing director and finance controller respectively by Alexander Gordon and Caitlin Stevenson.

Gordon said: "The move to an employee ownership trust marks an important moment for our business.

"I want to thank David and Douglas for the hard work and dedication they have put into building and guiding the company over many years.

"Their efforts have made this next step possible. Most importantly, this change recognises the commitment of our staff, whose contribution has always been at the heart of the business.

"The future of William Sword Ltd will now be something we can all share in together."