Vistry pledges commitment to armed forces
Vistry pledges commitment to armed forces at special covenant event to reinforce gold status
Vistry Group has further pledged its support for the military at a special event where the national housebuilder re-signed a promise in front of key representatives to help members of the armed forces community.
CEO Greg Fitzgerald signed the Armed Forces Covenant at Vistry’s Canning Town location in London, beside Brigadier Peter Rowell MBE, MoD representatives, plus reservists and former military personnel employed by Vistry.
The signing, at Brunel Street Works, reaffirms the commitment made by Bovis Homes – now part of Vistry – in 2016, to the armed forces community and follows the housebuilder’s MOD Gold Award recognition in 2019.
Greg Fitzgerald, Vistry CEO, said: “Today’s signing signifies a great day for Vistry. I have a huge amount of respect for the armed forces and signing the Armed Forces Covenant is a commitment to the whole military community that we take very seriously and we’re very keen to support in every sense, as Gold Award employers.”
Bovis Homes received the Government’s Defence Employee Recognition Scheme Gold Award for a raft of initiatives, including providing employment opportunities and helping those connected to the military onto the housing ladder.
Former Royal Engineer Roger Morton, group change director and the housebuilder’s armed forces champion, said: “As a veteran myself I can vouch that Vistry is completely committed to the pledges that it has made in ensuring the armed forces community is supported as best it can be. Former military personnel have many talents we can benefit from and we’re proud to recruit and back them as much as possible.”
Vistry land manager, Army Major James Davis, said: “Vistry is a great employer and has supported my reservist career in every way. I feel at home within Vistry and know that I bring valuable skills to the housebuilding industry.”
There are more than 100 employees with ex-military backgrounds within the company, including site managers, technical staff and trainers. The business also offers discount schemes to help servicemen and women buy a home, including a discount off property prices.
Brigadier Peter Rowell said: “We are delighted Vistry Group is re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant. For the armed forces community, the covenant is about promoting former military personnel, so their skills are rewarded. Vistry has gone above and beyond and increased its commitment to the pledges the housebuilder made when it signed the covenant five years ago – ensuring the community gets the best opportunities it can.”
Contact: Chris Campbell, Vistry Group, 01242 388713; chris.campbell@vistrygroup.co.uk
