Skyseal is Now Proudly Owned by its Employees

Coventry, Warwickshire, United Kingdom., February 25, 2025 – Coventry-based Optagon Group, which owns Skyseal, a specialist provider of roof lights, has moved to Employee Ownership Trust for its 50-strong workforce, which now owns the majority of the company.

First established in 2010 and based in Swallowgate Business Park, Coventry, Optagon owns and operates a family of brands. These include Rubber4roofs, Skyseal, SkyGuard and Kitbuildr.

Optagon, which has established a nationwide presence, can ship to anywhere in the UK and offers drop-ship services for other online retailers through its national distribution network.

The move to employee ownership was motivated by an offer from a larger organisation to buy the business. However, the founders, Tom and Tina Cullingford, turned it down to let the staff be in charge of the company's destiny.

Explaining the decision, Tom and Tina Cullingford stated: “Building a company requires hard work and determination, but creating a great business takes a great team. In 2023, a large organisation approached us with an offer to acquire the business, prompting significant reflection. While the offer was attractive, we ultimately decided that the company’s future should be shaped by those who contribute to its success every day.”

Tom Cullingford will remain as managing director, continuing to lead the company alongside a senior leadership team. He will be joined on the board by two newly appointed legal directors, general manager Antony Murray, and finance director Zoe George.

Reflecting on the transition, Antony Murray commented: “When Tom and Tina first mentioned transferring ownership to the entire team, it was both a surprise and an exciting opportunity. This move is a testament to the strength of the team and the success we have built together. The journey ahead presents a learning curve, but being part of such an innovative and forward-thinking organisation is an incredible opportunity. Every member of the team now has a meaningful stake in Optagon’s ongoing success.”

Employee-owned corporate finance adviser BCMS supported the shareholders and senior team throughout the transaction.
Tom and Tina Cullingford added: “A special thank you to the BCMS team for their guidance and support in ensuring a seamless transition to employee ownership. Their people-first approach, hands-on assistance, and expertise in areas such as valuation and communication were invaluable. Most importantly, having BCMS involved allowed the senior team to remain focused on running the business without disruption.”;

About Skyseal
Skyseal is a trading name of Optagon Ltd and exists to provide builders, roofers and competent DIY’ers with a wide variety of modern roof light options. Formerly known as Roof Depot, our company has been a trusted name in the skylight and roof window industry for years. As we transition to our new brand, Skyseal, we remain committed to delivering the exceptional products and services customers have come to expect. We are passionate about modern roofing solutions and the most up-to-date technologies in the skylight world. With our 3D configurator, we ensure our customers can find the perfect skylight for their properties and build it to their exact needs with ease, whilst ensuring longevity in their choices. You wouldn’t build a house and expect it to last only 10 years, so why do we put up with this when it comes to your r ...

News Release: Skyseal is Now Proudly Owned by its Employees
Submitted on: February 25, 2025 03:30:11 AM
Submitted by: dinesh
On behalf of: exactrelease.com/