Events

Housebuilding trio in running for major awards celebrating veterans making it big in business

- 27 Jan 20

Three colleagues at a national housebuilder are award finalists in one of the world’s largest celebrations of military veterans in business.

Roger Morton, Alan Gilfillan and Rob Tarn at Bovis Homes – part of the newly-formed Vistry Group - have been shortlisted in the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards, out of more than 500 nominees.

The trio’s achievement comes after Bovis Homes became the first dedicated housebuilder in the industry to receive the Government’s Defence Employee Recognition Scheme Gold Award.

Performance director Roger, a former Royal Engineer, said: “All three of us are absolutely
delighted to be finalists in the biggest awards event for ex-armed forces personnel in business.

The military means a huge amount to Bovis Homes and we are thrilled to represent the company.

“Bovis Homes is extremely supportive of the armed forces family and having three finalists from over 500 nominees is testament to the business’ efforts.”

The awards highlight the military-gained skills and qualities that have helped finalists achieve
business aims, and recognises the organisations that have supported them.

The ceremony is one of the world’s flagship platforms for providing visibility of veterans'
achievements in the wider workforce and promoting the strong synergies between military values and business excellence.

Roger is in the running for the Military Values in Business Award, which recognises a former
serviceman or woman who has created successful business results and advanced their career by exhibiting and applying military virtues and values to their role and activities.

Alan Gilfillan, site manager at Bovis Homes’ The Landings location in Braunton, Devon, has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Achiever of the Year category. While senior health safety and environment advisor, Rob Tarn, is a finalist in the Rising Star Award - for an individual who has progressed quickly through an organisation or industry, demonstrating strong leadership.

Former Sgt Maj, Alan, and ex-RAF Regiment Gunner and Military Guard, Rob, added they were “very proud” of the achievement.

Bovis Homes achieved the MoD’s Gold Award last year for a raft of initiatives, including providing employment opportunities and helping those connected to the military onto the housing ladder.

The housebuilder has introduced a trainee assistant site manager programme, which targets ex-armed forces personnel and is also a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

The company sponsored last year’s Armed Forces Day National Event in Salisbury in June, which marks the service of men and women in the armed forces and includes three days of celebrations including a military parade.

Bovis Homes also offers a discount scheme for military personnel and there is the Forces Help to Buy, which allows service personnel to borrow up to a maximum of £25,000 interest free.

Winners will be announced at the award ceremony at Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London, on 20th May.