By Nic Seal, founder of Environet.

To all our customers,

I set up Environet in 1996 as an environmental consultancy; little did I know it would morph into the successful knotweed and invasive plant company it has become, employing some 30 people.

It’s true to say the focus in the early days was to build the business, with very little consideration given to any succession plan. As the business matured, I realised that its continued success was not only important to my family and I, but perhaps more importantly, to all our employees and our customers. I recognised the growing responsibility this entailed and that our continued success was reliant on having the right structure with a superb team.

Back in 2019, with my 60^th birthday only a few years ahead, I decided a robust succession plan was needed to ensure Environet’s future. The decision was taken to transfer ownership of the business into an employee-owned trust (EOT), whereby our loyal employees became indirect owners.

The transfer took place end of July 2020, and the great 5-year transition programme commenced. Emily Grant, Mat Day and Luke Walton took up their new responsibilities as Directors with great enthusiasm and professionalism, creating a highly effective senior management team. They have done such a sterling job, relieving me of my roles and responsibilities, that I have decided to accelerate my exit and stand down as a Director effective 31^st May 2024, 28 years after Environet’s conception.

I will of course retain an eager interest in Environet’s success and well-being, provide guidance where requested, and continue to serve as a Trustee of the EOT.

The whole team should be very proud of their achievements. It is a vote of confidence in them that the succession plan has concluded more quickly than planned. I see this as a very positive step for the long-term future of Environet, and I’m eternally grateful for all their hard work in getting us to where we are today. Thank you, team!

I’d also like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to all our key suppliers and the colleagues in our industry who have helped and supported us over the years.

I joked in my Radio 4 Gap Finders interview in 2023 that I wasn’t getting any older! I’m now in my early 60s, so sadly that is not the case, but I’m young at heart and excited to begin another chapter of my life.

Finally, I’d like to sign off by thanking all our customers over the last 28 years. None of this would have been possible without you and it’s been my great privilege to serve you all. To our future customers, I have absolute confidence that Environet will continue to deliver.

To a happy, healthy and prosperous future

Nic

A very fulfilled Founder