Bovis Homes has been handed the Ministry of Defence’s Gold Award for the employer recognition scheme for its support for the UK’s armed forces.
The housebuilder first signed the Armed Forces Covenant – the pledge to help members of the armed forces community access the same government and commercial services and products as any other citizen – in 2016. Key initiatives the company has offered include career mentoring and work placements for military personnel, and support to buy a home via a special home purchasing scheme.
Greg Fitzgerald, chief executive of Bovis Homes, said: “The armed forces make a vital contribution to society and our security, and we are leading the way in the housebuilding sector to ensure their efforts are championed in the world of business.”
Pictured (l-r): Roger Morton (former Royal Engineer, Bovis Homes performance director), Josh Beesley (former Welsh Guard, Bovis Homes trainee assistant site manager), Chris Pugh (army reservist, Bovis Homes business systems manager), Darren Partridge (former Royal Engineer, Bovis Homes site manager)
Redrow gives boost to traditional trades with 80 new apprentices
Housebuilder Redrow is taking on more than 80 trade apprentices this September, bringing the percentage of employees enrolled in a structured training programme to 15%. The company offers apprenticeships and graduate schemes in trade, administration, technical and commercial roles. The latest intake will embark on traditional apprenticeship programmes in trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and electrical services.
The company’s most recent apprenticeship report highlights the financial appeal of such schemes, with 65% of young people associating apprenticeships with “earning money while studying and not incurring student debt”.
Mercers’ estate gets behind sock brand’s commitment to BikeStormz
Stance, a US sock brand, hosted the launch of the BikeStormz photography exhibition during the summer at its debut store at 3 Neal Street, part of the Mercers’ estate.
The event showcased the work of photographer Adam Corbett and his documentation of BikeStormz, a youth movement formed in 2015 to encourage an alternative to violent crime among young people. Under the mantra “knives down, bikes up”, the movement aims to boost positivity and bring the community together.
Simon Taylor, property director of The Mercers’ Company, said:“[Stance’s] creativity and commitment to the community is a huge benefit to the Mercers’ estate and we are proud to support both Stance and BikeStormz.”
Bruton Knowles team eyes £2K with Three Peaks Challenge
Thirteen members of staff from Bruton Knowles’s Birmingham will be embarking on the National Three Peaks Challenge next month to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
The event is part of the company’s two-year campaign to raise £30,000 for Cancer Research UK across its 12 offices. The partnership was announced at the end of last year, and staff have raised just over £8,700 so far.
James Bailey, managing partner at Bruton Knowles, said: “The Three Peaks challenge is an exciting event to be involved in, and will be a real test for the team.”
To donate, go to Bruton Knowles’s Cancer Research UK page
West Midlands’ biggest property race heads to Longbridge
The St Modwen Charity Run, which supports LandAid, the charity aiming to end youth homelessness, takes place on 13 September in Longbridge town centre, Birmingham. The charity is calling on runners to compete in either the 5K or 10K distance race. To register, visit the St Modwen Charity Run 2019 page
Lycra and suits raise funds for Coram children’s charity
Registration is now open for the Wembley Park Cycle to MAPIC 2019. Join your retail property peers in an epic 520km cycle ride from Le Puy to Cannes over three days. At their destination, riders will swap their lycra for business attire to attend MAPIC, the international retail property market event. Taking place between 9-12 November, the event will raise funds for Coram, the children’s charity, and other charity partners. For more information, visit Club Peloton
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