Former apprentice follows mum and brother’s path into housebuilding with full-time role

- 28 Apr 21

A rising star from Bishop’s Cleeve who followed her mum and brother into housebuilding has completed her apprenticeship and started a full-time customer services position. Holly Watts, 18, has been appointed trainee customer services coordinator at Vistry Group and joins the business’ Cotswolds region where her brother Ben works in IT and mum was a purchase ledger nearly 20 years ago for Bovis Homes, which is now part of Vistry. Holly started her three-year business administration apprenticeship, through Gloucestershire College, straight from school in 2018 and worked in customer services, commercial, sales and on reception at the Bishop’s Cleeve office, on Cheltenham Road, before being offered a full-time role. Holly, who went to Cleeve School, said: “I wanted to go into the world of work and Bovis Homes is such a big presence in the area, when I heard there were opportunities to join as an apprentice, I just went for it. Ben told me about all the departments and he helped me settle into the business. My mum used to work as a purchase ledger for Bovis Homes, so she told me it was a great place to get into and try to progress. She loves that Ben and I are now working here. I always used to walk past the office, so it is strange now to know this is my work! “I was trusted with larger tasks and projects as my apprenticeship progressed, which was great for my confidence. One day, I had a call asking if I could help in customer services two days a week. I really enjoyed that and then a position came up. I get on with everyone here, it’s such a nice environment.” An assessor from Gloucestershire College visited Vistry once a month and the pair would mark tasks that were set for that period and then agree more for the next month. Holly also attended the college for exams. The experience, and Level 3 qualification, set her up for what she hopes is a long career with the housebuilder. “I love communicating with customers, that’s my favourite part,” Holly added. “I will be trained on the job and for future qualifications. It’s really rewarding when you receive nice emails and a thank you – and it’s a great feeling when something that’s ongoing is sorted for the customer. Talking to our different site teams is great too, so you really get to understand what’s going on on the ground. I’m really happy, from the first day I gained experience with the customer services team, to now, they’ve all been really helpful and supportive and answered any questions I had. They’d ring me to ask if I needed any help and they’re all really encouraging and excited that I’ve got a full-time role. “To those thinking about it, if there’s an opportunity to do an apprenticeship then definitely do it. I was a bit unsure about what it would involve but it’s completely paid off. It’s good to do an apprenticeship at a place you really want to stay and have a long career at and that’s why I chose Bovis Homes. I knew straight away and I’m so glad I did it, and now I’m getting paid at the same time I’m learning and developing my skills, which is just great. “I’m aiming to complete my traineeship and thrive in the customer services team. I hope to have many happy years at Vistry. Vistry is a very modern company and during Covid that’s really been apparent. Particularly with flexibility and looking out for colleagues and their wellbeing, it’s really reinforced my desire to work here.” Ruth Copeland, customer services director at Vistry Cotswolds, said: “We’re delighted that Holly has successfully completed her apprenticeship and has joined the customer services team in a full-time trainee role. Her appointment is very well deserved – her hard work has paid off and she will be an important member of the team.” Outside of work, Holly is brushing up on her dog walking routes after getting a puppy, a Cockapoo called Chester, who is now three months old.