Development updates

Vince’s drone passion is perfect hobby as he drives construction of Banbury homes

- 03 Jan 19

An assistant site manager at an Oxfordshire housebuilder is using his passion for drones as a hobby to relax outside of work as he drives his team forward in their construction programme at a Banbury development.

Vincent Coetzee, who is based at Bovis Homes’ Longford Park location, regularly uses his high-flying photographic equipment for personal use and says they could be the perfect way to track progress at the busy site in future.

Vincent, who is a big fan of travel, cycling and technology, said getting a helicopter view of the site would be a great way to admire the great construction work his team was carrying out.

The former labourer said: “I’m a huge drone enthusiast, they’re such a valuable tool. You can really capture a development, see how it’s progressing and get better views and angles of our empty newly-built homes, which could make such a difference to our overall perception.

“It’s such a great insight to have and I’ve been testing out how to get the best out of drone footage on my trips abroad to see how they might be used at Longford Park.

“I took my drone to Ben Nevis and captured some brilliant footage and I’d love to take it on future ventures to Iceland, Germany and Austria, which I’m planning at the moment.”

Vincent, from Hatton near Warwick, is also a lover of food and all genres of music, with Jeff Lynne's ELO and Metallica at the top of his favourites list – and he tries to incorporate his tastes into his footage.

He said being a good assistant site manager meant creating a family environment, building quality relationships with contractors and putting customers first.

After moving from South Africa in 2004, Vince started life on site as a labourer and then a carpenter, before moving to supervisor, construction foreman and then assistant site manager. He joined Bovis Homes in 2016.

Vincent said: “We’re in a really great place at Longford Park. The production is sound, health and safety is great and everyone is on board.

“Getting your contractors behind you, so they know what you’re about and can see strength and consistency on site, is what’s important.

“You need to be an extension of the contractors, to facilitate their work and be a constant presence. To tweak production when needed, motivate your own team and gain respect.

“Having the foresight to predict and prepare any issues that might arise and to see what’s working well, is vital. You’ve got to be proactive, constantly focused and take responsibility for all materials.

“This is about getting houses built on target, with customers moving in who are really happy. We’re 100 per cent in control and want our customers to be proud, to trust in Bovis Homes as a brand and recommend us to friends and family.”