Bedford manager retires after merchant Saturday job led to 35 years at housebuilder

- 17 Aug 20

A commercial manager from Bedford who entered the housing industry after working at a builders’ merchant on Saturdays while at school, is retiring after 35 years at a national housebuilder. Andy Hurst, commercial manager at Bovis Homes – part of the newly-formed Vistry Group, which also includes Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships – joined the housebuilder as an assistant buyer in 1985 and says he will miss the team spirit most. Andy, 55, who landed a full-time job at the merchant after leaving Pilgrim Upper School aged 18, soon learnt the ropes before gaining experience in property management and interacting with customers during many roles at Bovis Homes. The avid music fan joined Bovis Homes’ Harpenden office and went on to join the Birmingham-based team for 21 years, before working at the company’s Milton Keynes headquarters and becoming one of the housebuilder’s first associate directors in buying. Andy said: “From a career point of view, I achieved what I wanted to do. I was one of the first to become associate director in buying and gained a fully rounded experience, including on the customer side. I was always a doer, and got in there and got my hands dirty. I aimed to be adaptable, helpful and problem solve as best I could. “The camaraderie at Bovis Homes was second to none and it has been tremendous fun as well as hard work. We were able to bounce a lot of ideas off each other and progress them to great success. I still meet up a few times a year with past colleagues I worked with in Harpenden and Coleshill.” The keen traveller was presented with a laptop, day trip and vouchers on his last day and looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Kate, and his son, daughter and five grandchildren. “As one of our first associate directors for buying, Andy showed himself to be very flexible, passionate and determined and he took that into his promoted role as commercial manager. He was instrumental in bringing the Linden and Bovis Homes brands together in the region. We wish him all the best for his retirement and travels!” Have a look at our Chiltern View development. Email Us any time