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Housebuilding rising star, from Leicester, highlights the perks of working from home

- 31 Mar 20

A rising star from Leicester who progressed to management six months after joining a major player in the housebuilding industry has highlighted how he is working from home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Paul Martin, 34, from Kibworth, started at Bovis Homes – part of the newly-formed Vistry Group – in September as a sales advisor in the company’s West Midlands region and has recently been appointed field sales manager.

The budding musician, and Leicester City FC supporter, has been working from his living room table for the last week and says it has not slowed down work levels as he keeps his daily routine as similar as possible.

Paul, who attended Countesthorpe Leysland Community College, said: "Working from home was initially a big change for me, from my usual day-to-day working life. I have made sure that I stick to a routine, waking up at roughly the same time as usual and keeping to a lunch break as well as going for a stroll to clear my head and get out the house for an hour.

"I am currently working in my living room from my table, which I'm now very used to! The best thing about working from home is not dealing with the M6!”

Paul, who is encouraging other ambitious people to join the industry, is usually based at Bovis Homes’ West Midlands office and is responsible for locations in Redditch, Upper Heyford, Drakes Broughton, Banbury and Rugby.

“I put my progression within Bovis Homes in my, so far, short tenure down to asking questions,” he added. “Not being afraid to speak to managers and directors alike, as well as keeping organised and up-to-date with what is going on in the housing market. Also, staying up to speed and having a good general knowledge gives you confidence in speaking with customers, colleagues and peers.

“I would 100 per cent recommend a sales job within the housing industry to anyone who is driven to succeed. Those who aren’t scared of rolling up their sleeves and who enjoy seeing their effort turn into reward.

“The job is very satisfying, personally I have moved in hundreds of people over the years and the moment you hand those keys over to their dream home, the feeling you get is fantastic. Especially when some of the relationships you form can be spanned over a period of months from reservation to completion.

“The best part of the job, however, is manning your own office, your own space and building those relationships both internally with your colleagues and externally with your customers.”

Paul, who has worked in the new-build industry for eight years after a previous spell in business banking, has dealt with first-time buyers, investors, downsizers and relocators and said being rounded and able to problem solve was crucial to the role.

He added he loved the size of Bovis Homes and the housebuilder’s reputation, and the atmosphere in his initial interview, which felt professional and approachable, confirmed his desire to work there.

His top tips are being well organised, a good communicator and to have a good eye for detail. He said those who wish to join the industry should speak to sales advisors, ask questions and visit different developments and the Bovis Homes website to gain product knowledge.

Paul attended the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester, where he studied Timpani and Classical Percussion, plus a course in Musical Production and Sound Engineering. Outside of work, he loves football, music, eating out, travel and skiing.