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Marketing ace praises support from Vistry Group after gaining key qualification

- 22 Jun 20

A Stafford-based marketing manager has praised the support of her housebuilding employers after attaining a key professional qualification.

Louise Macrae, of Vistry Group – which includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes – has been awarded a merit in the CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) Leadership Level 7 postgraduate diploma, which she achieved while working at the housebuilder’s regional headquarters at Dunston Hall.

Louise completed the programme – funded by Vistry – over 18 months and the mother-of-one, who covers locations across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire, Nottingham and parts of the West Midlands, is now looking forward to having her weekends back.

The experienced marketeer, who has been employed by the housebuilder for two years, said: “My regional office has been great in supporting my progress. They paid for the course which I wouldn’t have been able to undertake without that financial support.

Louise, who has been employed by the housebuilder for two years, said: “My regional office has been great in supporting my progress. They paid for the course which I wouldn’t have been able to undertake without that financial support.

“The company also allowed me to work from the office at weekends and use its resources – it would have been difficult to do at home with a three-year-old!

“I’ve honed my strategic skills, which I’m using day-to-day in my job and in Vistry’s sustainability group. As it’s the highest CIM qualification you can get, I’m hoping this will serve me well in the future as I step up in my marketing role from an operational focus to a strategic one.

“My parents are really proud that I’ve completed the course and that I have furthered my knowledge. My other half is just happy he’s not babysitting every weekend anymore!”

Louise completed three modules aimed at delivering strategic marketing into business operations, which included attending the University of Liverpool for sessions with tutors.

The first module focused on managing business growth and Louise explored the company’s joint venture projects. The next was aimed at leading change and she now sits on Vistry’s sustainability steering group, overseeing projects including the housebuilder’s Hedgehog Highways campaign. This industry-first initiative – a partnership with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society – sees the company installing pathways for hedgehogs and wildlife to its existing developments and all future sites wherever possible.

For the final module, Louise looked at the biodiversity net gain target announced as part of the Government’s Environment Bill at the end of last year.

Louise said her programme highlights included her coursework being included in a Vistry board report on sustainability. She added she wanted to thank the company’s Learning and Development department and those in the business that had helped her succeed.

Joanne Morrison, regional managing director, said: “We are delighted with Louise’s achievement, which is very well deserved. She has worked tirelessly at weekends alongside her day-to-day role and has made valuable contributions to the company’s sustainable direction as well as developing our marketing objectives within the region.”

Louise lives in Selly Park, Birmingham, with partner Michael and three-year-old son, Hunter.

For more information on Vistry locations and sustainability initiatives, visit www.bovishomes.co.uk and www.lindenhomes.co.uk.