Development updates

Ex-Royal Marine so passionate about new career in the housebuilding industry – he buys a new-build!

- 11 Mar 20

An ex-Royal Marine has praised a national housebuilder for the job opportunities it offers to ex- military personnel – and he has even bought a new-build home!

Tom, who served in the Marines for six years, started his role as a trainee assistant site manager at Bovis Homes’ Blackmore Meadows location in Stalbridge six months ago.

Speaking about his job and the housebuilding sector, Tom said: “I absolutely love my new role at Bovis Homes, I honestly wish I’d come into the construction industry sooner.

“So many of the skills that I learnt in the military transfer well onto site – time keeping, people skills, work ethic and a passion for quality”.

In the Marines, Tom was involved in managing communications systems on vehicle and aviation assets such as helicopters. He worked across a variety of areas including counter-terrorism and humanitarian aid.

“The Bovis Homes team have been brilliant helping me transition into my new role at the company,” Tom added. “It was a big change for me after six years as a Marine, but I’ve been given plenty of hands-on tasks and responsibility, so I have been learning lots.

“It’s wonderful to see the housebuilding process progress, from the foundations through to the finished home. It’s very fulfilling to see a house come together.”

As well as working for the national housebuilder, Tom also lives with his family in a Bovis Home at Northfields in Somerton.

Tom moved into a four-bedroom Chesnut property in December, after reserving in November.

He said: “We love our new home. Somerton is in a fantastic location with great amenities – my three-year-old daughter especially loves the nearby park.

“Obviously I’m biased but I would definitely recommend buying a new-build home, not just in my position as a trainee assistant site manager, but also as a customer.

“When you move in, everything is brand new and there is no work to do, other than adding your own personal touches. It’s a blank canvas ready for you to make your own mark”.

Last year, Bovis Homes achieved the highest award from the Ministry of Defence for supporting armed forces personnel – the Government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award – the first dedicated housebuilder in the industry to receive the recognition.

The housebuilder was recognised for a raft of initiatives, including providing employment opportunities and helping those connected to the military onto the housing ladder.

There are around 100 employees with ex-military backgrounds within the company, including site managers, technical staff and trainers. The business also offers discount schemes to help servicemen and women buy a home.

Among a number of key initiatives, Bovis Homes also offers mentoring and work placements to those with military backgrounds.