Time with company: 27 years
I was asked to join Barratt East London, which at the time was a brand new division, as I had previously worked with some of my colleagues.
I find working for Barratt more liberating than working for a building contractor, I get to make many more challenging decisions, which requires greater planning. This in itself means integration with other departments in order to bring things “together”. The daily challenges I face play a big part of my role with Barratt, and I find it rewarding, when after all the decisions and planning, the developments are brought together. Working with Barratt within London is almost unique due to the product range, together with the different areas where each planning authority requires different requirement. The challenge of this ensures there is never a dull day.
Developments range from a refurbished 1960’s office block into flats, sprawling riverside developments of tower blocks and houses which cover a five to six year period, and brick clad structural concrete tower blocks within an existing urban development. The variance within the developments is too much to list, so I guess I cannot chose which was the best to work on, however, it does make a difference on good selling sites as the hold on work in progress is not so restrictive and allows the planning and programming to be more consistent.
I have always worked in the housebuilding industry, having served as an apprentice carpenter. Following the completion of my apprenticeship, I decided my way forward was to develop my skills in site management working my way to becoming a Site Manager with a competitor before moving to Barratt.
I definitely recommend Barratt as an employer, as they really are a people company. Being a large employer with many divisions nationwide there are many opportunities to move about and up the ladder within the group.